The Bridge Crossing Jubilee Celebration has given me yet another reason to anticipate March, the month in which I was born.

It’s no secret that Selma, the city at the center of the voting rights movement, has contributed greatly to the fight for civil rights.

Ever since I made the decision to move to Selma, I have looked forward to the exposure of Black history I would receive in this city. The Jubilee will surely sit at the top of my list of great Selma experiences, along with interviewing civil rights activist Dr. Fredrick Douglas Reese.

Not only has this extravagant event attracted people across the world, including U.S. leaders like President Barack Obama, but also it’s brought people together. After hearing about all the violent crimes in Selma, it will be nice to see such a grand display of unity.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee includes more than 30 great events to commemorate “Bloody Sunday” and celebrate the voting rights movement, the march from Selma-to-Montgomery and the passing of the Voting Right Act of 1965, according the Jubilees’ official website.

Of all of the great events set to happen between March 6 and March 10, I anticipate the Bridge Crossing Re-enactment set for March 9 at the Edmund Pettus Bridge the most.

The attempted march across Selma March 7, 1965 and the successful march from Selma to Montgomery, were acts of courage and strength shared among thousands of people. I am honored, elated and privileged to have the chance to be a part of a re-enactment that will honor the people that contributed to those major milestones in the Civil Rights Era.

This festive occasion is more than a fun series of events that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s a chance to show respect to the generations before us. The people involved in the Civil Rights movement in Selma have sacrificed their life, time and effort to ensure that others would get the justice that African Americans have been denied of for some many years.

While there are still many instances of unfair treatment based on race, gender and more, their powerful movements have made things much easier for us today. Participating in this Jubilee is an excellent way to show just how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication they have put in.

Over the years, Selma’s reputation has a great city has tarnished with each violent crime that happens here, but this event will remind the world of the good that was and still remains in Selma. I just hope the spirit of unity that comes with this Jubilee echoes throughout the city and helps us to become a better city.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee Celebration should restore hope in those that have lost faith in Selma’s ability to become a positive city that we can all be proud to call home. This area has a lot of shortcoming, but that doesn’t take away from the generous, loving and welcoming people who live here.

In March, my recollection of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee Celebration will be more than amazing photos and well-written stories that I have a read about in The Selma Times-Journal. It will be one of the many life-altering moments that I was blessed to experience in Selma.