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Annanias Rose Recounts Growing Up in Birmingham
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing resulted in the deaths of four young girls and injuries to more than 20 bystanders. Annanias Rose Sr. grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, during that troubled time. Of the four girls who tragically lost their lives in the bombing, Rose’s sister personally knew one, and that girl’s father was the principal of Rose’s elementary school.
On April 10, Rose came to Woodberry to speak about his experiences and how they shaped him into the man he is today.
Rose has had a long and eventful life. After graduating from George Washington Carver High School, he enlisted in the military and served for more than 30 years. During his military career, Rose was and remains an active church member. He has been ordained as a deacon and minister and is now a pastor.
Rose’s childhood in Birmingham was highly influential. He grew up in a big household with eight siblings. Rose looked up to his father, who had only a 3rd-grade education, but worked tirelessly to provide for their family.
Rose’s father experienced police brutality. Police officers accosted him, and he was often stopped for no reason.
“He always kept a half trainer of gin in his back pocket,” said Rose. The police found the bottle of alcohol and labeled Rose’s father a drunkard. The police assaulted Rose’s father, and the trauma and injuries from the confrontation resulted in his death three years later.
“That’s part of my history that I’ll never forget,” said Rose.
Speaking to Woodberry students, Rose shared the story of Rodney King, who was beaten nearly to death by LAPD police officers. King's story got the attention of the media, and he became a symbol of police brutality and the racial tensions during that time.
Rose shared the stories of numerous victims and events during the civil rights period which had an impact on him and many others: Emmet Till, Little Rock Nine, Medgar Evars, 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, the March on Washington, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott, and the Civil Rights Act.
“These events are important because we must know the history. We need to know about the good and the bad, so history doesn’t repeat itself,” said Rose.
The story of Emmet Till especially resonated with Rose when he was growing up. Fourteen-year-old Emmet Till tragically lost his life after being beaten to death by a group of men in 1955. For Rose and many others, Till’s story highlighted a painful awareness that they couldn’t take their safety for granted.
Rose took away many lessons from growing up in Birmingham and his experiences during the Civil Rights period.
“There will be challenges no matter what you do; it’s how you respond. Show love and respect to others. Stay strong in your faith, whatever that may be. Accept that there may be times when the situation is out of your hands. It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” said Rose.
Rose’s presentation offered a firsthand glimpse into what it was like to grow up during the civil rights era, one of the most divided periods in American history. By sharing his personal experiences, he revealed their meaningful impact on his own life and the lives of many others.
“My experiences inspired me not to let bad things cause me to do bad things,” Rose said. Despite the weight of his past, he arrived at Woodberry with a smile and a desire to teach, fully embodying his shared message.
— Reporting by Ryker Simpson ’26
— Reporting by Ryker Simpson ’26
Woodberry Forest School is an exceptional private school community for high school boys in grades nine through twelve. It is one of the top boarding schools in the United States and one of the only all-boys, all-boarding schools in the country.
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