“On Thursday morning, May 2, 1963, nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks woke up with freedom on her mind. But, before she could be free, there was something important she had to do. "I want to go to jail," Audrey had told her mother. Since Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks thought that was a good idea, they helped her get ready.”
In this quote from Cynthia Levinson's book, a nine-year-old girl named Audrey Faye Hendricks expresses her desire to go to jail as a way to fight for freedom. This bold and brave decision showcases Audrey's strong determination and sense of justice at such a young age. The fact that Audrey's parents support her decision highlights the significance of the civil rights movement and the collective efforts of individuals, both young and old, in standing up against injustice. This quote is a powerful example of the courage and resilience of activists during the Civil Rights Movement.
This quote from Cynthia Levinson's book highlights the determination and bravery of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a nine-year-old girl who was willing to go to jail in order to fight for her civil rights. This serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what we believe in, regardless of our age or circumstances.
"In the book We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson, the author recounts the story of nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, who woke up one morning with a determination to fight for freedom. Audrey's bold decision to go to jail for the cause of civil rights is a powerful example of courage and determination."
As we reflect on Audrey Faye Hendricks' bold actions in pursuing her ideals of freedom and justice, it's important to consider the following questions:
What does Audrey's desire to go to jail at such a young age reveal about her commitment to the Civil Rights movement?
How do Audrey's parents' support of her decision to go to jail demonstrate the importance of familial support in pursuing social justice causes?
Reflect on a time when you felt strongly about a cause or issue. How did you act on those feelings, and what obstacles did you face in pursuing your beliefs?
In what ways can Audrey's story inspire us to take action and stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of adversity?
How can we continue Audrey's legacy of courage and activism in our own lives and in our communities?
“May was the best person I ever knew.... She understood people and she let them be whatever way they needed to be. She had faith in every single person she ever met, and this never failed her, for nobody ever disappointed May. Seems people knew she saw the very best of them, and they'd turn that side to her to give her a better look.”
“[May] understood people and she let them be whatever way they needed to be. She had faith in every single person she ever met, and this never failed her, for nobody ever disappointed May. Seems people knew she saw the very best of them, and they'd turn that side to her to give her a better look.”
“She looked at her hand: Just some hand, holding a cheap pen. Some girls’ hand. She had nothing to do with that hand. Let that hand do whatever it wanted to.”
“Mina thought to herself, watching, her momma was the kind of woman she wanted to be, wherever else she got to in her life.”
“Usually while I lay in bed, I liked to think of new things I could do for Lynnie. Maybe I could let her try my pillow to see if she liked it better. Or I could bring her a new cracker she'd never tried. Or maybe I could even find a new book that she'd never heard of and read it to her, even though she had heard of every book in the world. That night I knew that nothing I could do would make her feel better. So I lay in bed and listened to her mournful noise and didn't feel love or hate or anger or anything at all except despair.”
“Even after everyone had gone home, the house was filled with the good time they’d had, as if it could linger in the air like the voices and music lingered in memory. Mina wrapped the memory up and put it in her heart; there was a quiet gladness, deep like a tree and tall in her”