The retreat’s itinerary was carefully curated to guide us through key moments of the civil rights movement, illuminating parallels between the struggles for equality and the principles of dispute resolution. We began our journey at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, the voice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. echoed not just in history but in the principles of fairness and courage that we as mediators strive to uphold. His leadership taught us that change is possible when guided by empathy, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
In Birmingham, we took a stroll through Kelly Ingram Park, the site of powerful demonstrations during the 1963 Birmingham Campaign. This park brought to life the resilience required to create space for justice. As mediators, we are often called upon to hold space for parties experiencing pain and conflict. Witnessing the Children’s Crusade story reinforced the importance of perseverance and creating environments where every voice can be heard, no matter how young or marginalized. In addition to the park, we had the privilege of a private tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute where we were told historical stories about the city and the history of segregation in the area.
Our third and final full day culminated with the walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, a site synonymous with Bloody Sunday. For mediators, this moment was a stark reminder of the courage required to address systemic injustice. The bridge symbolizes the ongoing journey toward equity and reconciliation—a journey that mediators are uniquely positioned to facilitate.
Our next stop was Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) sites in Montgomery. The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice challenged us to consider how unresolved injustices continue to impact communities. As mediators, we cannot shy away from the difficult conversations that truth-telling requires. What Bryan Stevenson did to bring awareness to untold stories, transformative perspective and uncomfortable truths is something that changed each of us that had the opportunity to be on this trip.
Mediators occupy a unique role as stewards of justice and neutrality. "Each person must live their life as a model for others," Rosa Parks once said. This sentiment is particularly relevant to neutrals, who must embody fairness, impartiality, and a commitment to fostering understanding. The Civil Rights Retreat highlighted the importance of remaining not just neutral but also deeply engaged in ensuring that equity and respect are upheld in every interaction.
On our last morning, we had the privilege of viewing the city through the eyes of Ms. Wanda Battle, a Montgomery native. Now in her late 60s, Ms. Battle grew up in West Montgomery and was a child during the civil rights era. Among her neighbors was Rosa Parks, the local NAACP’s Secretary and seamstress whose arrest in 1955 inspired the organization of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which catapulted the 26-year-old Dr. King into leadership, lasted 381 days and involved around 40,000 members of the community. Ms. Battle also shared her personal history of “the aftermath” when her family was displaced in the 1970s by urban renewal, their home purchased for $3,500 and destroyed by the construction of a highway routed through West Montgomery. She reminded us that our work is not just about resolving disputes but about helping people see and value one another.
The Civil Rights Retreat is more than a historical journey—it is a professional imperative for those in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Understanding the legacy of systemic inequities and the courage it takes to address them enriches our capacity to serve as neutrals. The retreat deepened our understanding of the historical and societal contexts that often underpin conflicts, equipping us with tools to navigate these complexities with greater empathy and effectiveness.
The trip profoundly impacted everyone involved, leaving lessons they will carry into their practices and careers for years to come. It’s an experience that those in dispute resolution—and the legal field as a whole—should undertake more than once. The depth of history is far too vast to absorb in a single weekend. Beyond that, the chance to connect with individuals who add meaning to your decisions and conversations is invaluable.
