Inspirational songs followed stories and memories you’d only find in history books as civil rights era icons were honored at the National Voting Rights Museum as part of the second day of the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee. One man–John Doar–a white attorney who worked for the U.S. Department of Justice came to Selma in the 1960s to represent African Americans who were denied the right to vote.
“We did it without fear or favor. We went right down the line as law enforcement officers,” says Doar. He says whites were allowed to vote simply because they were white. But, even the most educated black person couldn’t register–which was against the law.
“Since they were always on the right side because they were discriminated…it always seemed like we were helping them,” adds Doar.
Doar says being inducted into the museum gives him too much credit for what he did during the civil rights’ era, but folks at the museum say without him, they might never enjoy the freedoms they have today.
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