Retracing Selma to Montgomery | History Traveler Episode 34

[@alfonsonation]

As a black man born and raised in the Deep South, whose ancestors were among the heavily oppressed, I want to truly thank you for not only continuing to commemorate the painstaking trials my people have faced in the past, but doing so with respect and grace. It shatters me to my core hearing what they had to go through. Even hearing the stories of my grandmother. The Civil Rights moment was a war. A war of the heart. One that struck at the core of our national creed. Hearing the words of MLK at the end, and the way you edited that segment, brought me tears. He really was a pillar of hope for the hopeless in that day...I wouldn't be where I am, with all of my privileges and opportunities, without it. Been binge watching your videos a lot recently, but this one...ohh this one truly hit different. ❤ #HisTruthIsMarchingOn

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. That really does mean a lot to me. Glad that you are enjoying the channel!

[@Patty_cake51]

Thank God hearts did change!!! Studying that part of this country's history grieved my soul. My God, how could one human treat another as history recorded!!?? Ty for sharing your experience. I surely appreciate it. God bless you!!!

[@richard3716]

you do know it was the democrat party that did all these bad things to blacks but the civil rights movement made them realize they couldn't do it anymore so they started making lots of promises that they never deliver on they just want you to vote for them and unfortunitly it has worked,

[@Patty_cake51]

@@richard3716 The plantation today are the projects & the prisons that are harder to run away from than the old plantations. And where are the abortion clinics located??? Yep, right, the black neighborhoods.

[@richard3716]

@@Patty_cake51 its called eugenics or planned parenthood

[@kyleschannel6252]

Each episode you make is better than the last! Genuine content and it's great to see.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Kyle's channel - Thanks! I appreciate that. Hope that it’s been useful to people. Pretty excited for what we’ve got coming up in 2020.

[@johnkelsey2482]

The end brought a tear to my eye....Thanks again...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. I learned a lot while putting this one together. Thanks for watching!

[@markrinehart7224]

Kudos to Columbus, what a testimony. I lived in Selma in 1965 and was 11 yrs old. I'm not proud of the attitudes we maintained then and am so glad to see changes. People throw the term racist around freely, but I don't think they truly understand the depth and meaning of real racism. We all considered MLK to be just a trouble maker, rabble rouser. How wrong we were. It saddens me deeply to consider what these people went through to attain equality. Fortunately hearts and attitudes change.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Thank you for that perspective. I really do appreciate that. And thanks for watching as well.

[@arnoldsanders6878]

"Rabble Rouser"! For wanting his people to be FREE ?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

arnold sanders - Did you read his whole statement?

[@arnoldsanders6878]

@@TheHistoryUnderground + Yes I read his whole statement. It just tells me how back then they were so set in their bigoted ways, that they couldn't see what the need for the unrest was.

[@Flaxxseed]

@@arnoldsanders6878 that's exactly what was said in the comment!🤦‍♀️

[@av8tore71]

I am a former JAG lawyer in the Army (25 years 6 we're enlisted as a K9 handler) and it was here I learned how to respect others of a different race. How I looked at race then while serving was we all wore green and we all bled green. I am white and my wife of 22 years is black. We are both lawyers in our hometown and to me it's a shame how people treated others. There is NO ROOM for racism either in the White House (2016-2020) or anywhere. Just imagine how much we can learn from each other if we didn't have racism! I have learned a lot!!

[@robyncurtis8106]

What a great video, in times like this, it needs to be heard. Columbus's uncle sounds like a fantastic man! We are all God's children and we can't change history but we can change the future!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Well said. I was glad that I bumped into him while I was there.

[@josephgreenwell3352]

I am watching all of these in order in order to learn something new while I am working. Keep up with the great work sharing the history of this country.

[@rayross997]

Thanks for another history lesson. Looking forward to more great vids from you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that. I always learn a lot as well.

[@gshockley100]

Man! His speech just absolutely broke me. Awesome vid my friend!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty moving for sure.

[@charleshartz4814]

I've watched a few of your vlogs. Amazing that I found you the day before MLK national remembrance day. You're a great person and allowing local people to participate in your historical reverence. Thank you for the tours and added educational benefits.

[@pezdisc]

This was one of the best videos covering this historic event! We watched this along with several others while driving this historic trail trying to learn about it while moving along the trail itself. Thanks so much for the hard work on the video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryderlynch2281]

It's very impactful to come across this video today while our nation mourns the passing of John Lewis. Thank you for sharing the story of the March with us.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you.

[@TrentPierceProjects]

Another great video. Enjoyed the testimony from Columbus about how even some of the worst people in history loved people that look like them, but the best people love everyone. Pretty powerful.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Tech Minded - I was really glad that I ran into him. Very cool guy who is doing a lot to spread a good word and keep history alive.

[@mattperiolat]

The History Underground It’s remarkable that you have been so lucky to find ‘witnesses’ to history. Their families were there, their stories need to be told and carried forward. Be proud that you are carrying the torch, their stories, their history forward now too.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Matthew Periolat - Thanks. I feel pretty fortunate to have met some of the people that I have.

[@alexanderpatrick4866]

Let me just say something JD... what you're doing is very awesome and I really like watching your videos. They just seem to improve in quality through your experience. Thank you so much and I'm looking forward to the next video. See you later!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Alexander Patrick - Thanks! That really means a lot. Pretty excited for what’s lined up for 2020.

[@concerned1313]

You know, you are spiritual. To do this video before John Lewis' death and for me to wait to watch it now, is spiritual. Your stuff isn't the most dazzling, it is the most down to earth. Good video and thank you, I learned something again today...

[@tinastokes3003]

Thank you for sharing!! I love American History and I'm still learning. Your episodes are so informative!

[@GoldensRLife]

One of your best videos, thank you. Let us not forget.

[@scottmiller2687]

Great, great episode I especially liked that you find local tour guides who can give personalized accounts of what actually happened at certain historic spots. Great to use in your videos!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That was a complete accident, but it worked out well. Thanks!

[@geneelsea3368]

Wow, thank you for this segment. I was raised during thus time. I had the honor of serving out country at Craig Field, Selma. Crossed over the Pettus bridge many times. Thank you for bring this history to us.

[@thinktonka]

One more reason I truly love this channel!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@michelleerwin2257]

I agree with you they had to go through a lot to get where they are today. I really wish you would do segments on The Trail Of Tears, I think you would do it justice.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I’ve been working on some ideas for that. Thanks!

[@bobb1870]

The best way to close an episode and tell the real history.

[@benjaminrush4443]

Thanks!

[@tod2992]

Wow, JD didn't thank you for the nice donation.

[@lauratibbles6598]

This is a great piece of history so glad you met this young man that was able to give you a little history on the site that’s a shame what those people went through ... I worked over 50 yrs in healthcare we all bleed RED and the skin color does not rub off thank you for this history lesson it is great

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Laura Tibbles - Agreed. And yes, the guy that I met in Selma was a fascinating guy. I really enjoyed my time there. Thanks for watching.

[@santoparfano1910]

Awesome brother!! Cinematography throyghout sent chills down my spine and content was spot on!!! Thanks JD!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@williampatience9524]

It's great that you travel to the locations that matters in history. It brings it alive and gives me a better perspective of situation. Thanks.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@judygrandstrand9784]

Loved hearing this man’s story-

[@YuriBeckers9thID]

So far I have been mainly watching your WWII related videos, but recently I have been catching up on the other eras and topics as well. Very touching episode here. Thanks. Your videos are all really great.

[@springfieldjohn5473]

Great video. I love the civil rights sites. I look forward to seeing them in the future. Have you been to the Emmett Till sites around Money, MS? That would make a great episode. There is not much left of the Bryant Grocery.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Springfield John - No, I haven’t been there but would definitely be interested. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching!

[@DevilCruz13]

That would be a gut wrenching video to watch but I’m sure you would do it justice. Love all of your content

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

DevilCruz13 - Thanks! That means a lot. Got some pretty big plans for 2020 that I hope people will enjoy and learn from.

[@manuelramos3588]

Your best episode yet! Great Job..😊🤙🏼

[@2012Stillthinking]

Best content I have seen today. Good stuff.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that! I really enjoyed putting this one together.

[@stephensdygert7600]

That bridge should be called, "The freedom bridge of blood and tears" Its true, it doesn't change history. However its a path to a new future of history!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I get it, but I’m sticking with the Edmund Pettis Bridge 🙂. Definitely an important place though.

[@stephensdygert7600]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Thank God there is not a Martin Bormann bridge in Berlin. I wonder if the state of Alabama had a vote to change the name?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@stephensdygert7600 - I don't know. I'm sticking with John Lewis on this one though. He actually crossed the bridge and said to leave the name the same :)

[@stephensdygert7600]

@@TheHistoryUnderground There are many that crossed that bridge that do want that name changed. The Confederate south still stinks of treason and rebellion. The people in both parties that govern the Confederacy to this day. Are great, great, great grandchildren of the Antebellum Racist Aristocracy.

[@Nowhere-h2v]

👍 EXCELLENT!!! 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you! 👍

[@vawterb]

Thank you. You do such a fantastic job! Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@jamesstephenson8789]

I agree to need to take care of our history and to that point we also need to stop trying to erase history good or bad it is a part of what made America and we need to learn from it especially the bad

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

james stephenson - 100% agree. Thanks for watching!

[@randytownsend8833]

Very powerful! great content! thank you for all you do!

[@yonaldduck]

Great video! Cant wait to see the next one! If you are ever in New Orleans go to the ww2 museum it's really awesome!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yonni Walsh - Thanks! I was at the WWII Museum a few years back and loved it. Definitely want to go back and do a video sometime.

[@simonmassey3747]

Thank you JD and Columbus for your educational and interesting video. I was shocked that things were so bad in 1960's America. I agree with John Lewis and yourself that removing names of racist people off monuments doesn't change history. However the truth does need to be told properly. An example of this is suggested by Banksy the artist is to add some protester statues around the slave trader statue at Bristol in the UK. (This was because some protestors rolled it in the docks at the harbour last week ).Also Oxford University are taking their statue of Cecil Rhodes(British coloniser of Africa )down rather than put a plaque on it. We all need to come together regardless of colour and background to make a difference in this difficult time for our world. Thank you for your wonderful lessons.

[@gregoryolson1782]

So powerful, thank you for sharing

[@cathywithac]

Congressman John Lewis was 22 when he walked across this bridge with Martin Luther King Jr. I cried when I watched his funeral procession retrace the route and pause on top of this bridge.

[@arielcabalin2746]

Thank you for sharing it, and thank you for sharing keeper’s uncle history !

[@jacquestedcooper]

A very moving video. I never knew who Edmund Pettus was and now I know. It always astounds me what hatred can do to the hearts of people. I’ve always been an admirer of John Lewis, a TRUE PATRIOT of this country. I’m glad you let Columbus share his story. Well done, JD!

[@marcsmiley8014]

A great video!! So much history in such a small space, Montgomery. I have done that same drive, Selma to Montgomery. Did you see some of the sites around the Capitol? I saw you went to the 1st White House of confederacy. Did you check out the dexter avenue baptist church? Or the Rosa parks bus stop. You were within a 5-10 mins walk of those sites. Hopefully I am not spoiling a future video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

marc Smiley - Thanks! I had been to the 1st White House of the Confederacy before but it was closed when I was there. I also missed the Rosa Parks stop just from lack of time. I definitely want to get back down there and hit those spots though. Thanks for watching! If you have any other suggestions from that area, let me know.

[@marcsmiley8014]

At 15:23-on the left side of the street, the white cupola (directly behind that big white government building) is the dexter ave church. The idea for the Montgomery bus boycott was born in that building. On the right side-all the way down the street-there is a water fountain in the center of the street. On the right side of that street, is the bus stop Rosa Parks boarded the bus. There is a marker signifying the place. Literally, about 15 feet from the hand you are holding the camera with, there is a gold star embedded in the steps of the Capitol where Jefferson Davis took the oath of office for the confederacy. About 15 feet away from you!! Inside-you can stand in the room where where the confederacy was organized and Jefferson davis was elected president. Also the room where Alabama voted to leave the union. Montgomery is a micro-burst of awesome historical content-that is all connected-civil war to civil rights!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

marc Smiley - 🤦🏻‍♂️ Well crud. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be a little better informed the next time I go down there.

[@marcsmiley8014]

It’s all good! You make awesome videos. As a lover of history-I know how frustrated i get when I find out after the fact of some history near by!!

[@av8tore71]

Great interview

[@lila6117]

Well said, Evil and Good, thank you so very much!

[@eddymeyers3975]

Well done.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Eddy Meyers - Thanks! 🙏

[@johnkelsey2482]

Very Good...Excellent Content....

[@bguf1224]

Such a very sad part of our history! Just breaks my heart! We are all Gods children❤

[@epfan4life1]

The condition of that marker is appalling! Is there any way you can do a vlog on Medgar Evers and Emmett Till in Mississippi? Also, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis? FYI I met Rev. Jesse Jackson when he was running for President 4/1/1988. I shook hands with him and his grip was so hard that he broke my pinky finger.

[@madelineschultz4968]

Congressman John Lewis died on July 17th, 2020. He liked to tell young people to "get into some good trouble".

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yep!

[@alecs6492]

Great episode! Good stuff.

[@charelder]

JD awesome video 😎✌️😷

[@benjaminrush4443]

Excellent Idea for a Video. This March had a dramatic impact of the Issues when watched on TV by the World. Sorry to see the vandalism. Interesting how the oppressive Voting and living restrictions imposed by many Southern States to strengthen their State's Rights forced the Federal Government to enforce Federal Laws. Now we have too much Federal involvement in all States of the Union. I believe the name of the Pettus Bridge should be removed but that some of the Civil War Memorials should also have been saved. My opinion. Thank you for letting the gentleman speak in your presentation. Learned more things today about "Tent City". What a disgrace to have to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965 - 100 years after the end of the American Civil War. America's Children today in 2022 are paying for the Sins of the Parents to Great Grandparents of the Siff-necked Generations of the Past. Wow! The First White House of the Confederacy. Thank you for closing your most powerful Presentation dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King. May God Bless you as He has Blessed him in Victory. Amen.

[@1scottyz06]

Hi there, great video 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that.

[@doughill3396]

Good Job.A+.

[@sasha642]

Thank You

[@recoveringfatboy5660]

Great video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Recovering Fatboy56 - Thanks! I really enjoyed putting this one together.

[@mattperiolat]

Sadly, I wish I could say I’m shocked that markers to civil rights are being defaced or left to rot. The NPS does not have the money (tragically underfunded), the Selma to Montgomery Trail was only just formally created three years ago and there is, regretfully, still racism in this country. Research the Emmitt Till marker for another example.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Matthew Periolat - I was pretty mad about that. Racism does still exist but I don’t know if that was a product of racism or just low class vandals. Either way, it’s pretty despicable.

[@mattperiolat]

The History Underground I wish I knew for certain too. Neglect is certainly possible, but what happened with the Till marker makes me feel this is intentional. Among other things. We just have to keep pushing on telling the story. Dr. King is right - the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice.

[@michae8jackson378]

This is BY FAR my favorite one of your series! So moving I had a tear in my eye at the end! I feel like you would be a very good HS teacher and I truly think you have such a great calm cadence to your speaking tones....a pastor! I love listening to your voice! My wife agrees!😎😎

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I really do appreciate that. That means a lot.

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

VERY Interesting, to hear all this, and follow you on this historic march. So much of our American history is of hate based, and then of all the great things that happened as well....In MY own lifetime I have seen so much. In The early 1970s in Illinois, there were once again race riots, and the High school that I later went to, was a place of some of the riots. I remember my half sister, walking home with her then boyfriend, whom was attending the same high school, and they were both attacked, her not so much, but her boyfriend took a beating. They pulled some of his scalp off his head during the riots and he was badly beaten. Never saw him again, after that. such a shame, such a shame on what Hate can do...

[@sandrasanders706]

Was this chapel damaged during the severe weather last week?

[@mattperiolat]

... You’re going to Memphis in an upcoming video, aren’t you? You wouldn’t have focused on the April 4, 1968 date if you were not.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Matthew Periolat - I haven’t been to Memphis yet, but it is high on the list of places to go.

[@mattperiolat]

The History Underground Excellent. I was there ten years ago and they have since remodeled the interior, but the marker outside the building and the quote of Scripture is stunning. Be sure to ask about video rules before entry, they were not permitting even pictures inside ten years ago.

[@arnoldsanders6878]

John Lewis was assualted there.

[@justinweaver8787]

People destroy objects and possessions of others if they have a problem idk y they won't bring it to the person they have the problem with instead of tearing up things thinking they are tough or made a point or whatever. In my opinion that makes somebody a coward doing things like that. Hope everything is going good for you and your family. Thanks for the videos.

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

Columbus is a NY Yankees fan 👍🏾

[@Musicchick60]

Preach it, brother!

[@av8tore71]

What is also ironic.....Edmund Pettus's Great Great granddaughter Caroline Randall Williams is African American

[@MiJacFan1]

OMG! So incredible! What history has shown us, and so far we have come. I appreciate your videos a lot. That story from Columbus was inspiring. To think, some people these days think they are so oppressed. No. The black people back then were. Now, they can own businesses, attend public schools, vote, even walk into a business and be welcomed. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for that. Glad that you enjoyed it. Really love meeting new and interesting people on these trips.

[@JB-vt5sz]

For anyone who is to priveleged to know, that church is across the street from the housing authority (projects, ghetto) 50/50 chance you could have been murdered on those sidewalks.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

J B - I make sure to exercise caution and an extreme measure of situational awareness anywhere I go. Some places more than others. I will say that I found it disheartening to see the condition of the historical marker that I mention at the beginning as well as some other things that I noticed.

[@erickstiner1668]

Beyond AMAZING.....

[@georgehays4900]

Columbus is a good man.

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

MLK never raised a hand in violence and did more for the civil rights movement than all the violence of BLM. A lesson that should be learned. Anybody can break stuff up. But it takes a blessed person to control his emotions of violence. Amen 🙏🏼 MLK RIP

[@4.9copblank49]

Great video. It's weird but today it's John Lewis who seems consumed with dislike of others.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching. Unfortunately, we live in some pretty divisive times.

[@karenwatson4031]

Good message by Columbus. I wish they could teach those in colleges and schools the message of his uncle instead of hating the white man and thinking we're just oppressing them.

[@richard3716]

democrats need to be called out over all this

[@jennconducts]

You probably already know this, but those idiotic racists would not be Democrats today. See the "Southern Strategy."