Heavy but Hopeful: Reflections from the Civil Rights Museum

One of the most impactful moments I have experienced in the program so far was our visit to the Civil Rights Center and Museum. I knew the experience would be heavy, but I didn’t realize how deeply it would move me.

The tour was hard. There were moments I wanted to step out just to pull myself together, but I didn’t. And I’m glad I stayed, because what we saw is something every person needs to know. The museum walks you through the pain and courage that shaped our country — from slavery and segregation to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. It’s one thing to read about it, but another to see the faces and hear the stories of those who lived it.

Our tour guide reminded us that every person can make a positive difference in the world, no matter how big or small. Change doesn’t just come from leaders — it comes from ordinary people choosing to do the right thing, to love their neighbor, to keep showing up.

Still, as I walked through each exhibit, I couldn’t shake the truth that there’s no lasting hope for the future of civil rights apart from the gospel. Laws can change systems, but only Jesus can change hearts. True justice and reconciliation begin and end with Him.

The Civil Rights Movement was rooted in that gospel truth — that every person is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity and love. And while many of the events we learned about happened decades ago, the work isn’t finished. Injustice still exists, and we’re called to keep learning, listening, and loving in truth.

Walking out of the museum, my heart felt heavy but hopeful. Heavy because sin is real, but hopeful because God’s redemption story is still being written. Following Jesus means stepping into hard places — not turning away — and trusting that His light is still breaking through.

With hope,

Katie Avery