On A Sunday Morning

I don’t go to Sunday school at the Presbyterian church anymore. I’d rather not if you please. I’m an American so I have the right to believe what I want to believe.
I say that pledge in school and I believe in it. I think every kid in America believes it. Adults must believe it too, don’t you think? Didn’t they recite the pledge when they went to school?
“...one nation, under God, indivisible.....”
It’s Sunday, September 15, 1963, and in the basement of the Presbyterian Church another Sunday school is in session. My friend Billy Reim is probably there earning yet another perfect attendance badge. He believes. He has a right to believe.
Thousands, maybe millions of kids all over America are sitting in Sunday school this day in September.
They all have a right to believe.
Four young girls in Birmingham Alabama went to Sunday school today. They went to Sunday school at the Baptist Church on 16th Street. They were going for their lesson called, “The Love That Forgives”.
Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Diane Wesley, Carole Rosamond Robertson and Addie Mae Collins were entering the Baptist Church at 10:22 in the morning. They believed.
As they entered the church 122 sticks of dynamite exploded, killing them and injuring several others.
The dynamite was planted by four men.
The men were white.
Carol Denise, Cynthia Diane, Carole Rosamond and Addie Mae were black.
They were killed because a lot of black Americans were standing up for what we all pledged allegiance to, for what all Americans have a right to.
122 sticks of dynamite.
Planted by four white men.
Men who believed that freedom was meant for some but not for others.
Four young girls killed.
On their way to Sunday school.
Because someone didn’t like the color of their skin.
Because everyone does not believe.
“with liberty and justice for all.”