Going on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage was one of
the best decisions that I could’ve made. From the time it started to the time it
ended, there was a never a dull moment, just excitement, mixed emotions, and
laughter. Although I have favorites from every day of the trip, I believe the
best part overall was meeting everyone and making new friends. I am really
hoping that I am able to attend the trip again my senior year.
One of my favorite places that we visited was
the International Civil Rights Museum because it contained original artifacts,
like the counter where the four college students sat and started the sit-ins
and KKK clothing. The next place I enjoyed visiting, was the Emanuel AME Church
because it was filled with many different emotions and being able to experience
and witness their uplifting spirits was truly amazing. And being able to meet the
pastor was also a plus! The Civil and Human Right Museum was nice to see
because it was different. That was only museum that included human rights. I
loved learning about other places in the world and what they were currently
fighting for. It was a pleasure to meet civil rights activist, Dr. LaFayette
and civil rights attorney, Dr. Fred Gray. Meeting someone who put their life at
risk for the sake of others is a blessing and I could not thank them enough for
having such an impact. Visiting the State Capitol in Montgomery, AL, was not
exactly a favorite of mine, but it was definitely an eye opener. I had always
heard about the confederate flag being a form of “state pride”, but to actually
see it, along with a statue, left me speechless. I felt out of place there. In
Selma, AL, I loved walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and singing with
everyone, it was very powerful. I also enjoyed the Slave Stimulation part of
the tour because the experience of it left me with many emotions, and made me
wonder how people could be filled with hatred that much to allow innocent lives
to be stripped away in such a small amount of time and not feel any remorse.
Learning about the Little Rock Nine and seeing the high school they integrated
made me feel so appreciative. Watching the videos about the mobs that formed
outside, the violent attacks, and threats they had to experience, made me
wonder how they ended up with the courage to do something as powerful as this.
On the last day, the museum I really enjoyed was the Stax Museum. It was
something different and cool to see. I knew music had an impact on the Civil
Rights era, but I never knew it had a major one.
