Black History Month Special: Birmingham Civil Rights Leader Talks Activism Then and Now
Updated: 2:45 p.m. CST February 9, 2021
Hide transcript Show transcript
THREE ALABAMA CITIES IN THE HEART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. CARLA: BUILT-UP CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS THAT FIGHT FOR EQUALITY. GUY: REVEREND CALVIN WOODS SENIOR WAS ON THE FRONT LINE AT THE AGE OF 87. He has lived through the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the national movement this past summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death. CARLA: BREA DOUGLAS SITTED WITH HIM FOR A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON RACES THEN AND NOW. ♪ REPORTER: A black man was born in Blackham in the 1930s. CALVIN WOODS SENIOR DIDN’T HAVE MANY CHANCES. INSTEAD OF MAKING HIS OWN by getting an education. When he was only 12, he attended the segregated Parker High School, where his learning levels flourished. >> MY MOTHER AND FATHER IN ALL OF US, THERE ARE 11 BROTHERS AND SISTERS, ALL OF US, FOR OUR EDUCATION. REPORTER: PRESS THIS TO ISSUE ACADEMIC TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO GO TO MILES COLLEGE. >> I said if you are paying your money like other people you should sit wherever there is a seat. You don’t have to stand up for anyone. I did that young man, I did that. And they arrested me for it, and sentenced me to six months and hard work, fined me $ 500, and got fired from my job just for speaking. That’s how I really got started. REPORTER: DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, HE CONNECTED WITH DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Those who called the leaders sought help to break down the racial barriers in the city. >> I enjoyed being with Dr. KING. I never thought I would work with him. REPORTER: HOLZ ALSO TALKS AT EVENTS IN DR. KÖNIGS ORT, IF HE COULD NOT PARTICIPATE HERSELF. >> I was scared. I knew I wasn’t Dr. KING. REPORTER: BUT IT WILL NEVER BE HELD TO HOLD IT LIKE THE PEOPLE HERE IN KELLY INGRAM PARK THIS LAST SUMMER AFTER GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH. As someone who protested in the 1960s, Wood understood their anger. >> I don’t know what Dr. KING SAID OR WHAT SOMEONE DID. The man had the police on the man’s neck. We haven’t seen anything like that. Anyone who is not angry about it knows that God moves in them. I was very upset about it. REPORTER: HE ALSO GETS UPSET WHEN PEOPLE COMPARE BLACK LIFE. >> THAT’S A LIE. NO COMPARISON IN THIS. THESE PEPPERS – THESE PEOPLE BREACH THE LAW. BLACK LIVES MATTER DOES NOT BREACH THE LAW. They tried to save lives. They were upset because the police took someone’s life. REPORTER: HE CONFIRMS AMERICA HAS COMING SINCE THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. >> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. PRESIDENT. REPORTER: WITH THE COUNTRY THAT HAS ITS FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT. HE SAYS FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE LOST MOMENTUM EVEN WHEN WE ARE DEEPLY DIVIDED HE BELIEVED IN A BETTER FUTURE. >> CHANGE IS POSSIBLE. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. In the midst of it all, I see a brighter day. IT’S COMING. ♪
Black History Month Special: Birmingham Civil Rights Leader Talks Activism Then and Now
Updated: 2:45 p.m. CST February 9, 2021
Calvin Woods Sr. was born black in Birmingham in the 1930s and did not have many options. Instead, he created his own through his education. At the age of 12 he attended a segregated AH Parker High School, where his love for learning blossomed. His quest to distinguish himself academically led Woods to receive a fellowship to Miles College. By the time he turned 20 he was active in the civil rights movement, joining boycotts and joining with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put together video above to learn more about Woods and hear his thoughts on activism then and now. Click here to watch WVTM 13’s Black History Month special, “Moving Forward Together”.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
Calvin Woods Sr. was born black in Birmingham in the 1930s and did not have many options. Instead, he created his own through his education. At the age of 12 he attended a segregated AH Parker High School, where his love for learning blossomed.
His quest to distinguish himself academically led Woods to receive a fellowship to Miles College. By the time he turned 20, he was active in the civil rights movement, joining boycotts and joining Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Watch the video above to learn more about Woods and hear his thoughts on activism then and now.
Click here to see WVTM 13’s Black History Month Special, “Moving Forward Together”.
Comments are closed.