Before coming down South, I had my assumptions and predetermined ideas about what the people and area were like. While I knew that even at the peek of racial tension in the South not everyone had a malicious attitude toward Black people, I felt like the majority of them did. I also thought that people would sugarcoat or water down the atrocities that took place. As we made our first few stops my preconceived notions began to prove false. Firstly, the "Southern Hospitality" is real and genuine, not some insincere front. I realized this as Coach Joyce hosted us for Dinner after a visit to VMI. Although It was their first time meeting us, Coach Joyce and his wife, a connection through SBP alum Carlos Acosta, welcomed us into through home wholeheartedly into their home. They also provide stable support for Carlos As he calls it his "home away from home." In a similar way to the Joyce's, the monks of St. Bernard's Abbey in Cullman as they were pleased to welcome us into their home, as it is where we're residing for the remainder of our Alabama visit.
What I also didn't expect was for people to be so honest and accountable for their state's struggle with racial prejudice. When I asked a staff member of Birmingham-Southern College of the areas present day racial issues, she explained that Birmingham has made considerable progress since the 1960s, but unfortunately still has a far way to go, and is "heartbreaking" to see, in her words. Students at at St. Bernard's Prep attested to this as well. Of the people I've discussed it with, they know the severity and fully acknowledge the racially charged atrocities that occurred in the past and work everyday to make sure something like that never happens again.
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| Confederate flag waving on the wind. By (Shutterstock) |
What I also didn't expect was for people to be so honest and accountable for their state's struggle with racial prejudice. When I asked a staff member of Birmingham-Southern College of the areas present day racial issues, she explained that Birmingham has made considerable progress since the 1960s, but unfortunately still has a far way to go, and is "heartbreaking" to see, in her words. Students at at St. Bernard's Prep attested to this as well. Of the people I've discussed it with, they know the severity and fully acknowledge the racially charged atrocities that occurred in the past and work everyday to make sure something like that never happens again.
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Thanks for this post, Elijah.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see people acknowledge the truth of their history. Sounds like it's an important step toward making progress.
With best regards -- Ms. MacPherson
Your post gives me hope. It’s easy to forget about the good people who don’t downplay the past and who work for equality, especially given the rhetoric that is all too prevalent of late.
ReplyDelete: ) Mrs. T
Eli, I enjoyed this read. Your questions and the way you pose them to people are effective at eliciting open and honest responses from people. Keep opening up our dialogues. Scan
ReplyDeleteElijah: this is one of the reasons why you students planned this course -- so that we can have opportunities to share experiences and viewpoints with the people we meet in the South. Because of the plans made by you, the students, this trip is not just bouncing from one museum to the other. Your plans have created the chance to sit with people that we can talk with and learn from. I'm glad that you've been able to clearly describe these experiences in your post. - Lansang
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I would like to congratulate Mr. Scanlan, Dr. Lansang, the SBP leaders, the students and all who were involved in planning and executing this marvelous “journey”. From the pictures and the posts, I can only imagine how impactful this experience will be on this very special and aware group of young men.
ReplyDeleteNot all “classrooms” have four walls.
Secondly, I would like to congratulate you, Elijah, on choosing of you own volition to take this course as a means of awakening your consciousness. I congratulate you on keeping an open mind and understanding that our “preconceived notions” are sometimes wrong, but that they can serve as a platform for learning. And I congratulate you for ALWAYS using a humane approach to everything you do. Stay mindful. And stay “woke”.
Gail