Over all this trip has truly been amazing! Walking over the Edmund Pettis Bridge was a great experience! Imagining what the marchers went through gave me an inspiration! It inspired me to do what i think is right and to know that anyone could accomplish a goal if they put their mind to it. If it were up to me I probably would not have had the courage to do what they did. They knew the kind of violence they were facing but they never gave up. They had dogs, firehoses, and policemen turned on them. Facing that much amount if violence but not returning it was a huge task to do. Many people today could not even participate in the movement because they would not be able to restrain themselves from violence. They had a lot of pressure on them but they stood strong and stood up for what they believed in. Being in the south my whole life, I have had an experience where people would not speak to me because of the color of my skin. When I greet them with a big hello and a smile some often return it. There were often times where they didn't speak to me they would just ignore me and continue doing what they were doing. I think that today majority of the racism is in the elderly population. They have their minds made up on how things should be in society. Some still believe that whites and blacks should still be separate. I think the younger children of today won't judge people by the color of their skin but by their character. It's up to the younger generation to help change the way people think of each other by it judging them by the color of their skin.
-Kenisha Lindsey, Simmons High School
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Needing a cause.
So I am sorry for this but I needed to get it out. I went to my room early last night as some as might have noticed because I have issues eating. As soon as I got to my room and a while after I started to cry. This whole trip has been so much to intake and had been very overwhelming. As much as this trip is an amazing experience, this trip has made me realize how truely meaningless my life has been so far. The people ofthis movement were brutalized, tortured in a sense, and some even were killed. But they fought peacefully to change the world and inspire others. For those who do not know those are two of my goals in life along owning 7 cats. But yeah to change the world and inspire is what I dream to do everyday and honestly is is part of the only reason I am still here today. Anyway I realized last night that while this movement and these people did all of that. They fought peacefully, never giving up hope and changed the world while I am too worried about the boy I like thinking I was crazy because he catches me staring at him all the time. I have done nothing with my life and seeing what these people have done has made me realize how much I truely hate myself for not finding my cause as these people did.
Inspirational figures
I've learned many things since being on this trip, but I'd have to say that one of the most inspirational parts so far has been meeting Dr. Sybil Hampton
Sybil Hampton made me aware of all of the advantages that I take for granted and productive things I could be doing for the betterment of people other than just myself. I thought of all the things she went through as a teenager my age in Central High School and also outside of school such as being shunned, spat at, verbally abused and threatened on a daily basis and I compared that to the subliminal things that I go through everyday and how I over exaggerate situations that shouldn't really matter as much in life. At first I wasn't as grateful and aware of sacrifices that were made in order for me to live as I'm living today desegregated, and able to have freedoms that I wouldn't have today without her and others.
Mrs. Hampton challenged me to push limits and not just stop at Civil Rights for African Americans, she challenged me to truly forgive people and love them regardless because of the fact that she forgave individuals and actually developed relation after they had been so awful to her in the past compared to ludicrous situations I don't forgive people for.
-Sdhari B.
"But after a short while, it comes more & more to be realized that the seeds of war have not been destroyed but have become a thousand times more nourished & mighty" I was able to see a connection with the statement & civil rights movement. The civil rights movement started off small, but as days went on it became a group of thousands of people making a stand for equal rights.
Civil Rights Trip
We had dinner with dr Katherine Burk-Brooks, Cleopatra Goree and Barbra Mines. Cleopatra Goree was a teacher who turned her back while the children left to take part in the children crusade. They ditched school to go to go to jail. They wanted equal rights so they went to get them. I don't know if I would have the courage to participate in the children's crusade and risk my life. They knew that they could have died but they still protested because they could have died even if they didn't protest.
Taylor Majewski
Taylor Majewski
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Is it worth it?
Is life worth living for? Is it worth going through all the trials and tribulations?Is it worth crying and hurting for? Yes it is! It is most definitely worth it.
The Freedom Riders, little rock 9, MLK, Rosa Parks, John Lewis and all those that participated in the movement went through the hurt, the pain, the trials and the tribulations. If they can resist the violence then we can as well. They gave us something to live for. They made life worth it.
May 1,2013 I sat in the back of the bus by myself and I cried. I cried for like 15 minutes thinking about where my life was heading. I thought about if it really was worth it. But then I thought to myself about how much I feel sorry for myself. Rosa Parks didn't feel sorry for herself she did something, for herself and others. I begin to think about how blessed I am and the fact that I'm still alive. Emmit Till wasn't able to see the age 16. A lot of kids don't and it hurts to know that they didn't make it. But I think you should never give up on yourself. You should never doubt yourself because there is a purpose for your life and it is all worth it.
- Naomi Evans
The Freedom Riders, little rock 9, MLK, Rosa Parks, John Lewis and all those that participated in the movement went through the hurt, the pain, the trials and the tribulations. If they can resist the violence then we can as well. They gave us something to live for. They made life worth it.
May 1,2013 I sat in the back of the bus by myself and I cried. I cried for like 15 minutes thinking about where my life was heading. I thought about if it really was worth it. But then I thought to myself about how much I feel sorry for myself. Rosa Parks didn't feel sorry for herself she did something, for herself and others. I begin to think about how blessed I am and the fact that I'm still alive. Emmit Till wasn't able to see the age 16. A lot of kids don't and it hurts to know that they didn't make it. But I think you should never give up on yourself. You should never doubt yourself because there is a purpose for your life and it is all worth it.
- Naomi Evans
WHY DID HE
It doesn't matter who you are, it was so simple a feeling, buts its everything.
As I pack my bag's and get ready for this overwhelming trip, I only think I'm going to have. Good a good time and eat lots of food. Not the impact that I would have while I'm on this trip, not how lucky I am to be on the trip or to see the famous landmarks and enjoy the famous spots were many people took risk not that much long ago.
It is May 1, 10:31 and after all the places I have visited I think that the Loraine Hotel has just maid an impact on me and make me think and wonder "WoW". As I walk to get to the top of the balcony were MLK. Jr was actually shot and killed I wonder why, why did such a powerful man, a leader to many, a husband and father 2 others, and a hero to millions. Why does he haft to be gone. My generation today doesn't probably feel the presence, the emotions, and the feelings that Martin Luther King hit us with when he maid a legacy and had to drastically change so fast.
I ask many and think to myself why, why did James Earl Ray take a beautiful life. The shame and the feelings that we all had toward him was a hate and anger like no other. I have never hated a person so much that's wanted to kill them, that I wanted to END them forever so Why Did He.
KEVON D
As I pack my bag's and get ready for this overwhelming trip, I only think I'm going to have. Good a good time and eat lots of food. Not the impact that I would have while I'm on this trip, not how lucky I am to be on the trip or to see the famous landmarks and enjoy the famous spots were many people took risk not that much long ago.
It is May 1, 10:31 and after all the places I have visited I think that the Loraine Hotel has just maid an impact on me and make me think and wonder "WoW". As I walk to get to the top of the balcony were MLK. Jr was actually shot and killed I wonder why, why did such a powerful man, a leader to many, a husband and father 2 others, and a hero to millions. Why does he haft to be gone. My generation today doesn't probably feel the presence, the emotions, and the feelings that Martin Luther King hit us with when he maid a legacy and had to drastically change so fast.
I ask many and think to myself why, why did James Earl Ray take a beautiful life. The shame and the feelings that we all had toward him was a hate and anger like no other. I have never hated a person so much that's wanted to kill them, that I wanted to END them forever so Why Did He.
KEVON D
It Was Inevitable...
I've been waiting for it to happen. The moment on the trip that strikes a nerve and my emotions completely takeover. When I start crying and can't stop.
When I heard others tell me about their experiences on the trip, I was certain I would start bawling on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel and at the window that people suspect the shot was fired that killed MLK Jr.
But, I didn't.
Then I thought I was going to cry at the grocery store that Emmett Till supposedly flirted with a white woman inside.
I didn't cry there either.
After not crying at these monumental landmarks that made me feel really straightforward emotions, I began to think that the trip wasn't having the impact on my life like the others before me. I started to believe that I didn't deserve to go on this trip and that it was wasted on me, I began to think there were other people who would appreciate it much more.
I'm not trying to insinuate that I didn't appreciate these places. I'll never forget them and the information I have accumulated has really made me think critically and has left me in wonder. But, I was just waiting for that moment. The moment that struck a nerve, you know?
When I stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel I felt empty and disappointed that the motel isn't being used for anything other than a spot to stand on and look into a window. Then, at the window across the street where people believe the bullet was shot that killed Dr. King, I didn't feel anything. I was sad at the event that took place, but it only felt like a tourist attraction. Someplace for people to say they saw the poorly replicated window and a bathroom that is also poorly replicated in comparison to the pictures that were taken from the crime scene (although, that's probably just my OCD being picky and annoying). Oh, and let me not forget the floor to ceiling plexiglas with writing on it that kept you away from the replicated bathroom.
Then as we researched Emmett Till on the bus before we reached the landmark, a lot of people felt anger. I believe that was because Till was so young and innocent. What's wrong with flirting? Do we really believe that he flirted with the white women (who was also the wife of the man that owned the store)? Or was that just a lie so that the store owner/husband and another man had an excuse to kill Till?
I think everyone asked those questions and were angered (you'll notice this in previous posts), even though I was upset - I didn't have the severity of the anger that others on the trip did.
I had a lot of admiration. Admiration for Till's uncle who was brave enough to get in front of a white jury and accuse two white men of kidnapping his nephew and torturing him so much that when his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, Till's face was beyond recognition. Till's uncle did this knowing the dangerous repercussions of testifying in court.
I also have the utmost respect for Till's mother who was strong enough to have an open casket viewing for her son and allowed thousands of people come and see his face on display. I can only hope to be that strong one day.
So, when we arrived at the grocery store where Emmett Till was accused of flirting with a white woman, I was surprised. The bus had pulled over and I'm looking around wondering why we pulled to the side of a country road with nothing but farmland surrounding us. I was then told that we were at the grocery store. What does it look like? Your everyday, run-of-the-mill, dilapidated structure that used to be a building. It had no roof, a lot of walls that were falling down and nature was growing around and into this structure. The only thing that made you realize that this was an important part of a history was a double-sided plaque that gave a brief description. I only felt disgust because in ten years, I know, the structure won't be standing any longer.
I'm surprised I didn't cry. I thought it wasn't going to happen on the trip now (which is surprising because I, "cry at the drop of a hat" as my me-mom told me).
Then, yesterday we went to the Southern Poverty Law Center. And everything suddenly hit me. I realized how many people we didn't know about that had been killed, and are continued to be killed, in hate crimes. How many voices had been lost and the suffering of the families.
I realized that it was time for me to step up and fight for what's right. I did not hesitate to sign the Wall of Tolerance knowing that I can't let injustice pass in society. Our tour guide said a quote by Elie Wiesel, "We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim." It made sense to me instantly and I knew that I didn't want to have any part in helping the oppressor any longer.
After that I stayed to myself for a little while because I knew if I talked, I would have cried from the overwhelming rush of emotions coursing through my veins. It was inevitable.
Of course, as I'm trying to hold back the floodgates my me-mom calls to see how the trip is going as we're about to walk towards the Rosa Parks Museum and Library.
I rush her off the phone before she hears me crying and I set off with the group, staying in the back so they wouldn't see me crying. Of course my friend, Kevon, sees me with tears streaming down my face and stays by side.
Later that night we had dinner with Civil Rights activists: Cleopatra Goree, Dr. Catherine Burks-Brooks, and Barbara Mines. The three women talked about their involvement in the movement after we ate dinner.
I was fine all throughout dinner until we all stood up in a giant oval and held hands, right over left, and started singing, "We Shall Overcome."
Three verses:
"We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
We shall overcome someday,
Oh deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome someday!
We are not afraid, we are not afraid,
We are not afraid today,
Oh deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome someday!
Black and white together, black and white together,
Black and white together today,
Oh deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome today!"
The third verse hit me as we were singing the last couple of lines. As I looked around the room I saw over forty smiling people, holding hands, swaying side to side. I felt the difference that was made with the help of the activists in the room. At that moment in time, black and white were together. I was in between two black people, holding their hands, and singing. I couldn't help but cry because at that moment in time, we represented overcoming the obstacles that others faced before us and fought for so many years.
-Sabrina L. Donnick, 17, City Neighbors High School, Class of 2014
When I heard others tell me about their experiences on the trip, I was certain I would start bawling on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel and at the window that people suspect the shot was fired that killed MLK Jr.
But, I didn't.
Then I thought I was going to cry at the grocery store that Emmett Till supposedly flirted with a white woman inside.
I didn't cry there either.
After not crying at these monumental landmarks that made me feel really straightforward emotions, I began to think that the trip wasn't having the impact on my life like the others before me. I started to believe that I didn't deserve to go on this trip and that it was wasted on me, I began to think there were other people who would appreciate it much more.
I'm not trying to insinuate that I didn't appreciate these places. I'll never forget them and the information I have accumulated has really made me think critically and has left me in wonder. But, I was just waiting for that moment. The moment that struck a nerve, you know?
When I stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel I felt empty and disappointed that the motel isn't being used for anything other than a spot to stand on and look into a window. Then, at the window across the street where people believe the bullet was shot that killed Dr. King, I didn't feel anything. I was sad at the event that took place, but it only felt like a tourist attraction. Someplace for people to say they saw the poorly replicated window and a bathroom that is also poorly replicated in comparison to the pictures that were taken from the crime scene (although, that's probably just my OCD being picky and annoying). Oh, and let me not forget the floor to ceiling plexiglas with writing on it that kept you away from the replicated bathroom.
Then as we researched Emmett Till on the bus before we reached the landmark, a lot of people felt anger. I believe that was because Till was so young and innocent. What's wrong with flirting? Do we really believe that he flirted with the white women (who was also the wife of the man that owned the store)? Or was that just a lie so that the store owner/husband and another man had an excuse to kill Till?
I think everyone asked those questions and were angered (you'll notice this in previous posts), even though I was upset - I didn't have the severity of the anger that others on the trip did.
I had a lot of admiration. Admiration for Till's uncle who was brave enough to get in front of a white jury and accuse two white men of kidnapping his nephew and torturing him so much that when his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, Till's face was beyond recognition. Till's uncle did this knowing the dangerous repercussions of testifying in court.
I also have the utmost respect for Till's mother who was strong enough to have an open casket viewing for her son and allowed thousands of people come and see his face on display. I can only hope to be that strong one day.
So, when we arrived at the grocery store where Emmett Till was accused of flirting with a white woman, I was surprised. The bus had pulled over and I'm looking around wondering why we pulled to the side of a country road with nothing but farmland surrounding us. I was then told that we were at the grocery store. What does it look like? Your everyday, run-of-the-mill, dilapidated structure that used to be a building. It had no roof, a lot of walls that were falling down and nature was growing around and into this structure. The only thing that made you realize that this was an important part of a history was a double-sided plaque that gave a brief description. I only felt disgust because in ten years, I know, the structure won't be standing any longer.
I'm surprised I didn't cry. I thought it wasn't going to happen on the trip now (which is surprising because I, "cry at the drop of a hat" as my me-mom told me).
Then, yesterday we went to the Southern Poverty Law Center. And everything suddenly hit me. I realized how many people we didn't know about that had been killed, and are continued to be killed, in hate crimes. How many voices had been lost and the suffering of the families.
I realized that it was time for me to step up and fight for what's right. I did not hesitate to sign the Wall of Tolerance knowing that I can't let injustice pass in society. Our tour guide said a quote by Elie Wiesel, "We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim." It made sense to me instantly and I knew that I didn't want to have any part in helping the oppressor any longer.
After that I stayed to myself for a little while because I knew if I talked, I would have cried from the overwhelming rush of emotions coursing through my veins. It was inevitable.
Of course, as I'm trying to hold back the floodgates my me-mom calls to see how the trip is going as we're about to walk towards the Rosa Parks Museum and Library.
I rush her off the phone before she hears me crying and I set off with the group, staying in the back so they wouldn't see me crying. Of course my friend, Kevon, sees me with tears streaming down my face and stays by side.
Later that night we had dinner with Civil Rights activists: Cleopatra Goree, Dr. Catherine Burks-Brooks, and Barbara Mines. The three women talked about their involvement in the movement after we ate dinner.
I was fine all throughout dinner until we all stood up in a giant oval and held hands, right over left, and started singing, "We Shall Overcome."
Three verses:
"We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
We shall overcome someday,
Oh deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome someday!
We are not afraid, we are not afraid,
We are not afraid today,
Oh deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome someday!
Black and white together, black and white together,
Black and white together today,
Oh deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome today!"
The third verse hit me as we were singing the last couple of lines. As I looked around the room I saw over forty smiling people, holding hands, swaying side to side. I felt the difference that was made with the help of the activists in the room. At that moment in time, black and white were together. I was in between two black people, holding their hands, and singing. I couldn't help but cry because at that moment in time, we represented overcoming the obstacles that others faced before us and fought for so many years.
-Sabrina L. Donnick, 17, City Neighbors High School, Class of 2014
MLK
Today we went to Martin Luther King Jr's home town in Atlanta Georgia. As I left the museum to go into the ebenezer church I honestly didn't think much of it, but knowing that right across from it was MLK's body sent me into the church with my heart racing. When I walked up the stairs and into the chapel I felt the breath go out of me, and suddenly I felt this presence. I sat in a row separated from my peers and just stared at the front of the chapel. Martin Luther King jr had been here, and it was prevalent. The richness in the sermon being played in the chapel made everything even better. I could have sat there all day.
-CBK
-CBK
3 Wise Activists
Yesterday we had dinner with three women activists. They spoke words of power, struggle, courage and success. They went through difficult hardship, pain, and gave up much of their safety and selves to make it better for our generation. They had once again told us that we could make a difference by standing up for what you believe in. Their names are Catherine Brookes , Barbara Mines, and Cleopatra Gloree. How moving they were. They deserve to go down in African American history.
Martin had a DREAM!
Today we visited the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, and while I was walking around the exhibit I saw a video. The video was about Dr. King's last days and the speech he gave right before the night he died. I payed close attention to him when he was giving the speech the day before he was assassinated and he could barely give the speech. You could tell he was crying even though it almost blended with the sweat, and during the speech he was all choked up. Then after he finished the speech he kind of fell off the stage into the arms of his companions and dear friends. Then there's the recording they played at his funeral, and they played a recording that Dr. King had already recorded before his death. In the recording Dr. King spoke about what he wanted to be remembered for, and how he hoped he would be remembered for the equality he fought for and that he tried to love all people; no matter their differences. I don't think Dr. King knew when exactly he was gonna die, but I think that he knew he was going to die sometime soon. I don't know what to think about this, that this man (and this is all my opinion) knew his time was running short and he tried everything he could so that he could blaze a trail for the rest of the activists to follow. Dr. King said "he feared no man" and I think in the latter of his life that this was true. He had spent so much of his time being intimidated by death threats and the violence of the whites, and it wasn't doing him any good. He stepped up and stopped caring about that and stopped fearing death, I think he began to embrace it a little. That's another thing that astonishes me about Dr. King, he faced the most impossible challenges/obstacles and always found a way to overcome them. He was truly a one-time person, meaning that I don't think there will ever be another person like him. He fought for civil rights, but he also was involved in human rights and everyone being equal. That's why we should continue his dream and try to get everyone to be accepted and equal, and get rid of discrimination against people just because they're different from us. This is something I've really found myself to care deeply about over the course of this trip, and something I want to advocate for in my life. My generation needs to set the example and pave the way for the generation after us like Dr. King and all other activists back then did. #continuethedream
-Justin
-Justin
The Ongoing Struggle
While on this trip we all have gotten an amount of information that is not only overwhelming but awesome in a horrible sort of way. I am in awe of how much hate existed in the South in the past and currently. Last night we all had the privilege of meeting Cleopatra Goree, Catherine Burks-Brooks, and Barbara Mines. These courageous women opened up to us and shared their tear-jerking tales. Each of them was involved in the Civil Rights Movement. They spoke to us about their experiences, thoughts and feeling about the movement and about their own contributions. I felt very fortunate that they were willing to give us a more personal understanding of the movement. In particular I enjoyed hearing Ms. Burks-Brooks speak about how racism effected her childhood. She shared a story with us about spending Mondays with her mother and wanting to go to a carnival that was in town that week on a Monday. As a child she didn't understand why the carnival was open through the week but she was only allowed to go the last day of the carnival; Saturday. On that Saturday, when Ms. Burks-Brooks was allowed to go to the carnival, the rides were being taken down. This may seem like a small loss compared to the incredible amount of inequality of this time but I was affected by this story greatly. I think that the seemingly small degrading acts, the effort to make blacks feel less than human, truly show the evil that was instilled into this country. This evil still lives within some Americans today which you can read in the blogs posted by my peers. I have been unaware of the hate that still exists in the United States and have been regarding the majority of racism as history for far too long. I am disappointed to realize how alive racism is currently. The activists of the 50's and 60's have done so much to better this country but we can not regard The Civil Rights Movement as the past; we all must continue the journey to equality and finish what past generations have started.
-Lucy B.
-Lucy B.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)