Sheyann Webb Christburg talks Friday at the Univeristy of Tennessee at Chattanooga.M.L. King Jr. celebration schedule of events
MONDAY6 p.m.: “Peace Keepers.” Presented by Nation of Islam. Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church, 1403 Tunnel Blvd.TUESDAY 6 p.m.: “Black Lives Matter” with Alicia Garza has been canceled but will be rescheduled.Wednesday 6 p.m.: Interfaith prayer service. Presented by the Unity Group. Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center. St. Andrew’s Center at 1918 Union Ave.Thursday 9 a.m.: Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Second Missionary Baptist Church. 2305 E. Third St.Friday 6 p.m.: “Hidden Colors” with Dr. Booker T. Coleman. Presented by Mahmood Abdullah and Southside Market. Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church. A $10 donation is requested.Saturday 9 a.m.: Unity Group’s 46th annual prayer breakfast. Speaker: Honorable Erika L. Matthews McJimpsey, municipal judge. Greater Tucker Baptist Church at 115 N. Moore Road. A $25 donation is requested.
Even at age 8, Sheyann Webb Christburg sensed the danger that came with marching across the Edmond Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala.
Her parents forbade her to go, and people at Browns Chapel AME Church, where the march for black voting rights was organized, told her to go home. But she had met the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. face to face, and she was inspired and determined to be a part of the movement.
So instead of remaining at home as her parents instructed, she slipped out and joined the historic march on March 7, 1965, a day that was so violent it became known as “Bloody Sunday.”
And because of her experiences as a child, King dubbed Christburg “The Smallest Freedom Fighter.”
Her memories of the day were so vivid Christburg wrote a book about it called “Selma, Lord, Selma.” The book was made into a movie in 1999.
On Friday, Christburg shared her story with students throughout the city at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga University Center Auditorium in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is Monday.
Christburg encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities they have to get an education, vote and work.
“I submit to you that there is no room for excuses,” she said. “I encourage you to be your best, but most of all, I encourage you to make a difference.”
Nicole Ridley, a 21-year-old UTC psychology major from Nashville, said Christburg’s speech was empowering.
“It inspired me to think of ways to make a difference and find my purpose,” she said.
Christburg advised youth to become leaders to solve problems in their communities and to remember that they stand on the shoulders of courageous people.
The march on March 7, 1965, was supposed to be from Selma to Montgomery, but they only marched about a mile from Brown’s Chapel to Edmond Pettus Bridge before law enforcement officers warned the group to turn around.
When they refused, they got a firsthand view of fear and hatred, she recalled.
“Racism unleashed its brutality upon us,” Christburg said. “Tear gas had begun to burst in the air. People had begun to get beat down to the ground with billy clubs like they weren’t even human beings. The dogs and the horses had begun to push their way into the crowd. Pushing over and you could see people falling. Falling. Many of them bleeding. You could see people running just trying to make their way back to Browns Chapel AME Church. And I had begun to run like so many others as the tear gas was burning my eyes. I could hardly see.”
The late Rev. Hosea Williams, a civil rights leader, noticed Christburg in the crowd and scooped her into his arms and took her to safety.
More than 5o years later, she told students she still remembers the event like it was yesterday.
“I question how far we’ve come as a people. Much blood was shed on that bridge for African-Americans to gain the right to vote,” she said. “I must tell you that even though we elected our first African-American president, there is still much work that needs to be done. Racism still rears its head in an attempt to disarm people of their identity and respect as human beings.”
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.