Thursday, March 19, 2009

the Pilgrimage so far...

This trip is amazing! So far, we have had the opportunity to experience so many things, including a church service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where MLK Jr. co-pastored with his father, where we actually ran into Minijean Brown-Trickey (a member of the Little Rock Nine) Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, where various monuments were established to memorialize the four young girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and those who protested and marched for their equal rights, many of whom were children. We've seen and done so many powerful things, but one that hit me the most revolved around Congressman John Lewis, who we were fortunate to hear speak. John Lewis is a well-known civil rights activist that led marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama to Montomgery on Bloody Sunday when he was forced to turn back by police officers after they began attacking them. His presentation was so moving, and sitting there in the auditorium, with Minijean Brown beside me, I was just so inspired by him. I am inspired to stand up and speak out, to make change and face difficulties head-on. His presentation was amazing.

We worked with Haley Renovation Project yesterday in New Orleans, attempting to revitalize the community by picking up trash, cleaning bricks and separating recyclables. Others painted and re-shaped palm trees, etc. Yesterday was also the only day that we have had any sun and no rain on the trip so far, and it was clear that our group had brightened spirits as we began to work. It felt so good to work right in the community, speak with those in the area, and hear that we were really appreciated by everyone. It still shocks me how much people are still affected by that horrible hurricane, and I am glad to have received the chance to help out once more. Today, we are visiting the Historic New Orleans Collection to learn more about New Orleans' unique history, and tonight we are going to listen to some live, local jazz at Preservation Hall, which always turns out to be a favorite event during our trip. I think that's all for now, but we will continue to blog our experiences!

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