Marching Toward a Dream

Twelve-year-old Tom Ellison stepped off the bus, his heart humming with excitement. Finally, he was here: Washington, D.C.!

It was August 28, 1963. For more than two days, Tom had been on a bus with other kids traveling north from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Across the country, thousands of people had been making similar journeys—by bus, by train, by plane, by car, by foot. As Tom stepped out into the bright sunlight that morning, he gazed in awe at the endless throngs streaming into the area around the Washington Monument.

This enormous crowd was flooding the nation’s capital to demand equality for Black Americans. For nearly 200 years, U.S. lawmakers had put in place racist laws that robbed Black people of basic rights. Hateful discrimination and violence toward Black Americans were widespread, especially in the South. 

Now people from every corner of the U.S. were coming together to declare with one voice that enough was enough. They were going to march together for about a mile, from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. There, civil rights leaders would deliver speeches calling for change. This massive protest was known as the March on Washington.

As Tom prepared for the march, he sensed a current of hope running through the crowd. “I remember the joy on the faces of the people who felt that they were going to accomplish something that day,” he says. 

Already, it was clear: This was an event that would change history.

Twelve-year-old Tom Ellison stepped off the bus. His heart was humming with excitement. He was finally in Washington, D.C. It was August 28, 1963. 

For more than two days, Tom had been on a bus with other kids. He had been traveling north from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Across the country, thousands of people made similar journeys. They went by bus, train, plane, car, and foot. Tom stepped out into the bright morning sunlight. He gazed at the throngs streaming around the Washington Monument. He was in awe.

The crowd was there to demand equality for Black Americans. For nearly 200 years, U.S. lawmakers had made racist laws. The laws robbed Black people of basic rights. Hateful discrimination and violence toward Black Americans were widespread, especially in the South. 

Now people from all over the U.S. were coming together to say that enough was enough. They would march for about a mile, from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. There, civil rights leaders would deliver speeches. This massive protest was known as the March on Washington.

The crowd seemed hopeful. “I remember the joy on the faces of the people who felt that they were going to accomplish something that day,” Tom says. 

It was clear: This event would change history. 

Across the South in the 1960s, rules known as Jim Crow laws kept Black Americans separate from White Americans in almost every area of public life—schools and offices, restaurants and stores, trains and buses. The separate facilities and vehicles for Black people were usually run-down, out of order, or simply nonexistent. The laws also prevented Black people from voting and holding many types of well-paying jobs. Although fewer of these laws existed in the Northern states, segregation and discrimination were common there too.

Birmingham, where Tom lived, was infamous for being the most segregated city in the country. Growing up, Tom wasn’t allowed to go to school with White kids, or to play on the same playgrounds with them. He remembers scorching summer days when he would look longingly at the icy-cold water bubbling out of the Whites-only drinking fountain while he sipped lukewarm water from a separate fountain nearby.

Black people who broke Jim Crow laws—and even those who didn’t—were often victims of terrifying violence. Attacks against Black people were common in Birmingham and throughout the South. Tom’s parents urged him to be careful when he went out in the city by himself.

The South in the 1960s had rules known as Jim Crow laws. They kept Black Americans separate from White Americans in most areas of public life. This included schools and offices, restaurants and stores, trains and buses. The separate facilities and vehicles for Black people were usually run-down, out of order, or didn’t exist. The laws also kept Black people from voting and from getting many well-paying jobs. The Northern states had fewer of these laws. But segregation and discrimination were common there too.

Tom lived in Birmingham. It was the most segregated city in the country. Growing up, Tom wasn’t allowed to go to school with White kids. He couldn’t play on the same playgrounds. He remembers hot summer days when he would see icy-cold water bubbling out of the Whites-only drinking fountain. But he had to sip lukewarm water from a separate fountain. 

Black people who broke Jim Crow laws were often victims of terrifying violence. Black people were attacked even when they didn’t break a law. Attacks against Black people were common throughout the South. Tom’s parents told him to be careful when he went out.

Despite the danger, people in Birmingham and throughout the U.S. were working to push back against the injustice of Jim Crow laws. This struggle for Black equality in the 1950s and ’60s became known as the civil rights movement.

One of the movement’s most prominent leaders was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a young minister from Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. King advocated for fighting inequality in peaceful ways, a strategy known as nonviolent resistance.

Led and inspired by Dr. King, nonviolent protests were springing up across the country. In 1955, Black people in Montgomery, Alabama, took part in a bus boycott, refusing to ride city buses for more than a year to protest segregation on board. In 1960, four Black students staged a sit-in at a Whites-only restaurant in Greensboro, North Carolina. The teens sat politely but firmly at the counter, waiting to be served. It took five months and hundreds of others joining the protest before the restaurant finally served Black customers.

Tom’s father, a minister named Marvin, helped lead such protests in Birmingham. Inspired by his dad, Tom soon started to help organize meetings and protests with other young activists.

Despite the danger, people in Birmingham and throughout the U.S. were working to end the injustice of Jim Crow laws. This struggle for Black equality in the 1950s and ’60s became known as the civil rights movement.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the movement. He was a young minister from Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. King advocated for fighting for equality in peaceful ways. This is known as nonviolent resistance.

Led and inspired by Dr. King, nonviolent protests took place across the country. In 1955, Black people in Montgomery, Alabama, held a bus boycott. They refused to ride city buses for more than a year. They helped end segregation on buses. In 1960, four Black students staged a sit-in at a Whites-only restaurant in Greensboro, North Carolina. The teens sat politely but firmly at the counter, waiting to be served. After five months and hundreds of others joining the protest, the restaurant finally served Black customers.

Tom’s father was a minister named Marvin. He helped lead protests in Birmingham. Tom was inspired by his dad. He helped organize meetings and protests with other young activists.

By 1963, the civil rights movement had won a number of victories around the country. Still, segregation persisted in much of the nation. Movement leaders decided it was time for a protest on a national scale. They organized a march in the U.S. capital, with protesters from all over the country.

That’s how Tom found himself in that massive crowd in Washington, D.C., on that humid day in August. His father had been worried about him joining the march: Crowds of angry, racist people were expected to show up and threaten the protesters. And that morning, there was indeed a feeling of unease in the air around the Washington Monument. But at the same time, the mood was hopeful, even joyful. Families were picnicking in the grass, organizers were handing out signs, and folk singers were belting out empowering songs from a nearby stage.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., the march began. Tom set off with his friends, waving a sign that said “Justice for All.” Short for his age, he soon found himself completely swallowed up by a sea of people.

Yet despite the size of the crowd, he was struck by how peaceful it felt. The violence that people had feared never broke out. “There were no disagreements or arguments or anything negative,” he says. “It gave us pride to know that people from around the country were coming to support the march.”

Young and old, Black and White, Northern and Southern—everyone was standing shoulder to shoulder, marching forward together.

By 1963, the civil rights movement had won some victories. But much of the nation was still segregated. Movement leaders decided a bigger protest was needed. They organized a march in the U.S. capital for protesters from all over the country.

Tom’s father worried about Tom joining the march. Crowds of angry, racist people were expected to show up and threaten the protesters. That morning at the protest, there was a feeling of unease in the air. But at the same time, the mood was hopeful, even joyful. Families picnicked in the grass. Organizers handed out signs. Folk singers sang empowering songs from a nearby stage. 

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., the march began. Tom marched with his friends. They waved a sign that said “Justice for All.” Soon, Tom was surrounded by a sea of people. 

Tom was struck by how peaceful it was. The violence that people had feared never broke out. “There were no disagreements or arguments or anything negative,” he says. “It gave us pride to know that people from around the country were coming to support the march.”

Young and old, Black and White, Northern and Southern—everyone marched together. 

That hope turned to celebration less than a year later when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which officially banned segregation and discrimination based on race.

That hope turned to celebration less than a year later when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It banned segregation and discrimination based on race.

Four years after the law was passed, Dr. King was tragically shot and killed. But the dream he shared at the march lived on.

Tom is now in his 70s. He has fought for civil rights throughout his life. As a doctor, he works to make sure that all people have access to high-quality, affordable health care. He also runs a mentorship program to help young people go into medicine. Inspired by his experience at the March on Washington, Tom reminds them that it’s never too early to start trying to change the world.

“You’re not going to be an active part of the future if you’re not an active part of the present,” he tells them.

When and how did you first become interested in activism?

I was always aware of what was going on around me. My parents included me in conversations about their work. I was just immersed in activism, which inspired me to go into it. Even from a very early age, I was concerned about issues like homelessness. We would see homeless people and I would say, “Why is it like this? We have to fix this.”

When and how did you first become interested in activism?

I was always aware of what was going on around me. My parents included me in conversations about their work. I was just immersed in activism, which inspired me to go into it. Even from a very early age, I was concerned about issues like homelessness. We would see homeless people and I would say, “Why is it like this? We have to fix this.”

What other issues are close to your heart?

Violence, racism, human rights, and the environment. They’re all connected and intertwined. It’s like a big knot. People may be working on different parts of the knot, but we’re still working together.

What other issues are close to your heart?

Violence, racism, human rights, and the environment. They’re all connected and intertwined. It’s like a big knot. People may be working on different parts of the knot, but we’re still working together.

Can you tell us a little more about the Realize the Dream movement? What is the goal? 

Realize the Dream is about continuing the work my grandfather began. It’s about creating a better world for everyone through volunteering. That means stepping up, looking for people and causes that could use your help. It’s hard for one person to change the world, but if we work together, it’s amazing the difference we can make. So that’s the goal—getting people to come together to make a difference in our schools, our communities, and the world. 

Can you tell us a little more about the Realize the Dream movement? What is the goal? 

Realize the Dream is about continuing the work my grandfather began. It’s about creating a better world for everyone through volunteering. That means stepping up, looking for people and causes that could use your help. It’s hard for one person to change the world, but if we work together, it’s amazing the difference we can make. So that’s the goal—getting people to come together to make a difference in our schools, our communities, and the world. 

How can kids and teens take part in Realize the Dream?

Just start with something you care about and come up with ways you can help. It could be something like a food drive, or a park cleanup, or raising awareness about an issue. Kids can create change and have a positive impact on a cause they believe in. It doesn’t matter how young you are, what school you go to, or where you live.

How can kids and teens take part in Realize the Dream?

Just start with something you care about and come up with ways you can help. It could be something like a food drive, or a park cleanup, or raising awareness about an issue. Kids can create change and have a positive impact on a cause they believe in. It doesn’t matter how young you are, what school you go to, or where you live.

What have you learned from your parents and grandparents being a changemaker?

Patience. You have to learn to be patient, have faith, and be encouraged. In the beginning, you’re excited. Everyone’s hyped. And then a lot of times people will start to want to drop out because it’s not as straightforward as they thought. That’s when it gets really difficult. So I think the biggest lesson is just patience and putting in the work. It’s something I’m still learning.

What have you learned from your parents and grandparents about being a changemaker?

Patience. You have to learn to be patient, have faith, and be encouraged. In the beginning, you’re excited. Everyone’s hyped. And then a lot of times people will start to want to drop out because it’s not as straightforward as they thought. That’s when it gets really difficult. So I think the biggest lesson is just patience and putting in the work. It’s something I’m still learning. 

What advice would you give to kids who want to follow your example?

You can join or start clubs at your school or in your community. I think school is a great place to start finding people who are passionate about the same issues you are. And find a mentor in the community to seek advice from about what you can do. It’s important that we, as young people, seek advice from those who are around us.

What advice would you give to kids who want to follow your example?

You can join or start clubs at your school or in your community. I think school is a great place to start finding people who are passionate about the same issues you are. And find a mentor in the community to seek advice from about what you can do. It’s important that we, as young people, seek advice from those who are around us.