Pure White Hatred

A poem in tribute to the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama.

Four precious little girls.

In God's house they felt safe.

Surrounded by friends and family,

And wrapped tightly in their faith.

They were hated fiercely,

Simply because of their darker race.

Evil, soulless men,

Cloaked in robes of pure snow white.

Nothing was pure about them,

When they planted that dynamite.

The ground shook.

Terror was all around.

Because of pure white hatred,

Four beautiful children,

Lay dead upon the ground

ADDIE MAE COLLINS

April 18, 1949 - September 15, 1963

CAROLE DENISE MCNAIR

November 17, 1951 - September 15, 1963

CAROLE ROSAMOND ROBERTSON

April 24, 1949 - September 15, 1963

CYNTHIA DIONNE WESLEY

April 30, 1949 - September 15, 1963