Shakari Stroud's post

This trip or more so like a journey has allowed me to do a great deal of self reflection. I have enjoyed every place we have visited which carried its own uniqueness. From this trip a quote by Dr. King Jr. Has stuck with me. This quote is "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." This quote has stuck with me because for me it's a reassurance that there is never one way to accomplish something or be successful at something even if you have to start from the bottom, but if you don't loose hope and keep the faith you are bound to accomplish everything you set out to be. Because of this trip I have felt a great deal of responsibility to pass on the knowledge I have learned on this program, because a lot of these things you don't learn through the text book. The exposure of this raw material and journey does not amount to what I have been taught in high school and in college. This trip makes me question my potential and ability for what I can do to make a change in my own community and life, seeing so many young people in a powerful movement during the Civil Rights, but specifically for those we don't even hear about at all in history such as Dr. Lafayette and Jane who was the tenth person of the Little Rock 9. I have learned a lot on this trip thanks to the places we have visited, but primarily about myself during discussions talking with peers and hearing and picturing everyone's point of views from the places we have visited and their experiences. I am happy to have been apart of this trip because it has allowed me to grow and work on my leadership skills in that I am now able to initiate and spark conversations on campus within my communities I identify with and communities of identities I do not identify with. Being exposed to new things, you are forced to reflect on every aspect of your life because you are affected in some shape or form by the experience. If we refuse to acknowledge these changes we can't grow as an individual, and we can't expect to change circumstances and situations in our daily lives. This experience has been liberating, moving, and emotional. 

The planners for this program has been absolutely amazing and I appreciate the time they have put into this trip so that we could get the best out of it! 

Thanks you guys!!

<3