The Civil Rights in America Tour: Seeing the Value of Human Life Through History

Time marches on, but important moments in history permanently mark the landscape where they occur.  

For 30 Cedarville University students who traveled in the Deep South on the Civil Rights Tour from October 16–20, they felt the emotional echos of the past as they visited the sites of America’s battle for civil rights. 

Led by Dr. Patrick Oliver, associate professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Robert Clark, assistant professor of history, this trip immersed students in American history as they walked across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, the same bridge where civil rights marchers endured the beatings of Bloody Sunday in 1965.  

“Walking across the Edmund Pettus bridge is so impactful and important to understanding the significance of what happened there,” said Clark. “The protests that happened as a result of Bloody Sunday were a large contribution to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.” 

Students also stood on the steps of the 16thStreet Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, where four young girls were killed by a bomb in 1964 simply because of the color of their skin.  And they stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, the historic location where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the voice of the Civil Rights Movement, was assassinated in 1968.  

“Standing in the places where the Civil Rights Movement took place was so enlightening. It made history come to life for me; I could feel the importance of what took place in those locations,” said Luke Smith, a sophomore from Attleboro, Massachusetts, who is majoring in industrial and innovative design. 

“The National Memorial for Peace and Justice was the most impactful stop for me,” said Elise Hunnemeyer, a junior from Cedarville, Ohio, who is majoring in history. “Seeing and honoring the names of those who weren’t valued in life, many of whom were brutally beaten or killed simply because of the color of their skin, left an impact on me.”  

Prior to the tour, students attended classes and completed classwork projects that prepared them for the historical and emotional trip.  

“Having the legal and historical background through the class was so meaningful. When I got off the bus, I knew where I was. I knew the significance of what happened there,” said Hunnemeyer. 

Students also noted the importance of having a biblical view of history and current issues today. 

“Sin, whether pride or hate, was the ultimate problem, so Christ was and is the ultimate solution. Having that biblical worldview concerning the value of people is the only way to consistently value all human life, regardless of color or culture,” said Hunnemeyer. 

The class left a deep and lasting impact on the students, challenging them to see history and understand how it happened. 

“In this course, we want students to be able to decide what they think about ethnicity, and why, while being able to articulate the evidence that supports this viewpoint. Most importantly, this viewpoint should never compromise their biblical worldview.” said Oliver. 

“It’s a class everyone needs to take,” said Smith. “Walking through history will change your perspective and help you have a Christlike love for those who are persecuted.” 

Cedarville University, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, such as their history program, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.