Despite being born on opposite sides of one of the most horrific events in Birmingham’s history, the two women at South Hampton K-8 School on Monday shared a common goal: provide students a first-hand lesson of learning to love.
The Ku Klux Klan killed four young girls more than 60 years in a church bombing that shocked the nation, leaving wounds that would echo for generations. Those wounds — and the possibility of healing — were remembered Monday as students listened to Lisa McNair, sister of bombing victim Denise McNair, and Tammie Fields, daughter of Charles Cagle, then-an active member of the Klan, who was initially questioned as a potential suspect in the blast, but never charged.
Through years of difficult conversations marked by grief, shame, anger, and accountability, McNair and Fields formed an unlikely relationship grounded in honesty and compassion. Their story challenged traditional ideas of justice and forgiveness, offering students a living example of reconciliation in action.
“Reconciliation is what Lisa and I are about,” Fields told students. “More than anything, we want reconciliation in this world — and to learn how to love each other.”
McNair urged students to understand their role in protecting history and shaping the future. “You have to be an advocate for yourself,” she said. “When you see history about to be erased, you have to stand up. Call your senators. Call your legislators. They work for you — you don’t work for them.”
Though many students are not yet old enough to vote, McNair emphasized that civic engagement starts now. “In a blink of an eye, you’ll be voting,” she said. “And until then, your parents vote, your families vote. You have more power than you think.”
“You all have a better platform than we ever had,” she continued. “You’ve got social media. Use it to share these stories. Encourage each other. Enrich each other — because you are the next generation.”
McNair also pointed students back to the roots of the Civil Rights Movement. “The Children’s Marches were led by children,” she said. “They weren’t adults. Young people have always been part of the movement.”
Both women stressed that advocacy must be grounded in compassion. “Stand up for yourself in a loving, caring way,” Fields added. “Use your words, not violence. Your words matter — so make them count.”
“Sincerity”
Students took part in a conversation recorded for the school’s student-led podcast, Bulldog Talk on The Edge. According to Victoria L. Coman-Jackson, South Hampton K-8’s librarian, the goal of the podcast episode was to move beyond secondhand lessons and allow students to engage with history directly.
“We wanted students to see real people who were affected by the bombing — not just hear about it from a teacher or read it online,” Coman-Jackson said. “Anytime you can talk to someone face to face and ask questions yourself, it’s impactful. That’s how you get the real information. You get to see the sincerity.”
The impact of the conversation was deeply felt by students, including James Speights, a seventh grader and second-year member of the Bulldog Talk on The Edge podcast team.
“Learning about my history made me feel good,” he said. “It makes history feel more real when you actually get to meet people and hear what they went through.”
Reflecting on the discussion, Speights added, “I learned a lot of things I didn’t even know about. People really went through stuff back then. I wouldn’t want to go through those things.”
For the student, the experience was something he wanted to share “with my mom, my dad, and my grandma,” he said. “I’d tell my whole family.”
“Wraparound Moment”
The podcast’s success is especially meaningful to Tambra Clark; the former South Hampton K-8 librarian now an administrator with Birmingham City Schools who helped launch the program. Seeing it thrives, she said, has been deeply personal.
“It truly warms my heart,” Clark told The Birmingham Times. “We started with one iPad, one device, one set of headphones — and now there’s a full podcast setup with students interviewing Black history figures and community leaders. I never imagined how impactful it would become.”
Clark noted that the timing of the episode, recorded during Black History Month, added to its significance. “To see this continue even after I’ve left the position — it just feels so good knowing it’s still growing.”
Coman-Jackson said the podcast will continue throughout February with a focus on voices from across the community, including younger leaders.
“They need to know that their opinions matter — that the way they look, the way they think, is important,” she said. “This is a wraparound moment with civil rights. A lot of what people fought for in the past, we’re having to protect again.”
She added, “Many of us thought we had arrived. I know I did. But we haven’t. And now it’s important these babies understand — it’s real.”
Fields left students with a final message. “What we said today matters now,” she told them. “But it’s going to matter even more as you get older. Don’t forget it. You have the power to change generations. You have the power to change the world.”
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