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Remembering the Four Little Girls

September 17, 2025

The article commemorates the 62nd anniversary of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young Black girls: Addie Mae Collins, Dennis McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carol Robertson. Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell states that this anniversary prompts reflection on civil rights, voting rights, and civil liberties that defined the civil rights movement. Various leaders highlight how the tragic bombing by white supremacists represented a dehumanizing act of violence against Black Americans while also serving as a catalyst for national awareness about racial injustice in America.

Who is affected

  • The families and memory of the four girls killed: Addie Mae Collins, Dennis McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carol Robertson
  • Sara Collins Rudolph, Addie Mae's sister and the bombing survivor who lost an eye
  • The Black community in America, particularly in Birmingham, Alabama
  • The broader American society that continues to reflect on civil rights history

What action is being taken

  • People are commemorating and reflecting on the 62nd anniversary of the bombing
  • Leaders like Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Shavon Arline-Bradley are publicly acknowledging the significance of the event
  • The National Council of Negro Women is participating in remembrance activities
  • Religious leaders like Dr. Amos Brown are speaking out about the historical dehumanization represented by the bombing

Why it matters

  • The bombing represents one of the most violent acts during the civil rights era
  • The girls posthumously received the Congressional Gold Medal twelve years ago, recognizing their sacrifice
  • According to leaders quoted, the tragedy helped spark national awareness about racial injustice
  • The anniversary serves as a reminder to reflect on civil rights, voting rights, and civil liberties
  • The bombing symbolizes the harsh realities of being Black in America during that period

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint