Final answer:
The situational irony in the poem 'Ballad of Birmingham' refers to the tragic outcome where a girl is sent to church for safety but the church is bombed, leading to her death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poem Ballad of Birmingham, written by Dudley Randall, depicts the story of a young girl who asks her mother if she can participate in a freedom march in Birmingham. Her mother refuses, deeming the march too dangerous, and instead sends her to church, believing it to be a safe haven. The situational irony in the poem arises from the tragic outcome where the church, presumed to be a place of safety, is bombed, and the girl is killed. This juxtaposition of expectations versus reality highlights the dangers African Americans faced during the Civil Rights Movement, even in places that were supposed to be sanctuaries.