Our trip to Richmond, Virginia was amazing. We were able to get a tour of the Slave Trail and the American Civil War Museum; both of them were very interesting. The mission of the Slave Trail is to raise awareness and informational accuracy about Richmond’s role in the slave trade. When we arrived, we walked along the trail as our tour guide explained to us the conditions and hardships of slaves during that period. While his explanation was going on, he was able to include us in an activity. This activity consisted of everyone holding hands; one hand up front and the other one back and walking together along the trail without talking. This was a very difficult activity because the whole time we had to look down to make sure we didn’t trip or fall. Being in that situation made us feel powerless and inferior to others, which made us understand more of how the slaves felt. During this activity we were really able to capture the importance of knowing what occur throughout the Slave Trail.
The next day, we all had the opportunity to see the beautiful campus that the University of Richmond had to offer. Richmond University was definitely one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. There, we also got the chance to meet with other Bonner scholars. It was interesting to see how many things we all had in common. We were able to visit their sites and learn about their responsibilities. This trip definitely brought us together as a class and it was because of our belief in community service.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sophomore Bonner Virginia Trip
First and Foremost, I wanted to take this opportunity to give my sincere thanks and a token of my appreciation to Pat Donuhue, Giametta Giancarlo, Rich Wilson, and especially the one and only Sejour Stephens for helping make this amazing trip possible. The trip not only helped me get to know better my fellow Bonner classmates but it also enriched me with knowledge regarding one of our country’s past times and gave me a different perspective in viewing the Civil War. Despite being such a short trip, I still gained a lot of insight about Richmond and it’s historic slave story.
Before traveling to Richmond, I imagined that the whole purpose of this trip was only to observe and recollect information we already knew; however, I took with me more than just information. What I took away from this trip was a new comprehensive outlook on slavery and how it affected Richmond’s history. I began to notice this when we first went to the Historic Slave Trail Tour. Our tour guide, the humorous and quirky Ralph, helped us see how slaves came to Richmond and how they were sold and used for a growing business. We were given the chance to be put in the same situation the slaves were when they first arrived to the Americas. Ralph had all of us traverse across a part of the slave trail by being constrained to one another simply by holding hands or grabbing on to each other’s shoulders. This helped me see how difficult it was just trying to move as a slave. It was difficult to keep up when we were held together and I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been if we were actually cuffed and shackled in chains with little clothing.
Slaves who decided to rebel were later punished and imprisoned in a place called Lumpkin’s Jail. The jail, which sat upon a half acre of land known as "Devil's Half Acre," was the largest slave trade site outside of New Orleans before it was liberated during the Civil War in the 1800's. Robert Lumpkin was the owner of Lumpkin's Jail, a two-story brick house with barbed windows, and where hundreds of thousands of slaves were housed as they brought into the country and sold to slave owners. Like I said before, it was also a prison where rebellious slaves were whipped and held in a heated room filled with excrement and filth. Slaves were also slapped with wooden boards with holes inside in order to create large blisters. Unexpectedly, Lumpkin eventually fell in love with one of his slaves, Mary, whom he freed and married and left the property to when he died. Ironically enough, she later leased it to a man who began teaching freed blacks and that school grew into what became Virginia Union University today. The tour ended with Ralph telling us that races have tried to hide the past; however, the past will continue to exist until people understand the gruesome history that they have left behind.
The next day, we all had the opportunity to see the beautiful campus that the University of Richmond had to offer. Its 350 acres of colorful trees, open lawns, red brick collegiate gothic style buildings, rolling hills, and Westhampton Lake definitely make it one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. There, we also got the chance to meet with other Bonner scholars. It was interesting to see how many things we all had in common. Nonetheless, I believe that the thing that really brought us together was our belief in community service. It was our enthusiasm for volunteering that really helped us appreciate the different sites they helped volunteer at. What intrigued me was that the sites they showed us that they had a good background in medicine. We visited and EMT squad/cadet program and a hospital where two of the sites have been at. It was interesting to see that people in their Bonner program learned a lot about complex material such as science. For example, one of the Bonners was a business major and he still knew how to operate under an EMT program, something drastically different than his area of concentration.
Later that day, we were also given the chance to have a tour of the American Civil War Center. The exhibit presents the story of the Civil War, its causes, course, and its legacies from the viewpoints of Unionists, Confederates, and African Americans -- the war's three main participant groups. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of the three groups because they were fighting for something they passionately believed in. I observed that the central tragedy, the great irony of the war, is that all three groups were fighting for the legacy of the American Revolution, but they profoundly disagreed about what that legacy was. This was made known to me when I saw how hard each of the three groups tried to uphold the foundation of their beliefs. The history behind each story was just enormous and I was definitely impressed by the amount of depth we all carry within our races.
Overall the trip was an amazing experience that gave me a more comprehensive perspective of the Civil War. Not only did I learn but I also shared this experience with a great group of people. I hope there are more journeys like this to come because this trip was definitely one to remember. I will always cherish the bond with the new friends I made. Again, I thank those people who made all this possible. Thank you Bonner.
-Randolph Portugal
Before traveling to Richmond, I imagined that the whole purpose of this trip was only to observe and recollect information we already knew; however, I took with me more than just information. What I took away from this trip was a new comprehensive outlook on slavery and how it affected Richmond’s history. I began to notice this when we first went to the Historic Slave Trail Tour. Our tour guide, the humorous and quirky Ralph, helped us see how slaves came to Richmond and how they were sold and used for a growing business. We were given the chance to be put in the same situation the slaves were when they first arrived to the Americas. Ralph had all of us traverse across a part of the slave trail by being constrained to one another simply by holding hands or grabbing on to each other’s shoulders. This helped me see how difficult it was just trying to move as a slave. It was difficult to keep up when we were held together and I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been if we were actually cuffed and shackled in chains with little clothing.
Slaves who decided to rebel were later punished and imprisoned in a place called Lumpkin’s Jail. The jail, which sat upon a half acre of land known as "Devil's Half Acre," was the largest slave trade site outside of New Orleans before it was liberated during the Civil War in the 1800's. Robert Lumpkin was the owner of Lumpkin's Jail, a two-story brick house with barbed windows, and where hundreds of thousands of slaves were housed as they brought into the country and sold to slave owners. Like I said before, it was also a prison where rebellious slaves were whipped and held in a heated room filled with excrement and filth. Slaves were also slapped with wooden boards with holes inside in order to create large blisters. Unexpectedly, Lumpkin eventually fell in love with one of his slaves, Mary, whom he freed and married and left the property to when he died. Ironically enough, she later leased it to a man who began teaching freed blacks and that school grew into what became Virginia Union University today. The tour ended with Ralph telling us that races have tried to hide the past; however, the past will continue to exist until people understand the gruesome history that they have left behind.
The next day, we all had the opportunity to see the beautiful campus that the University of Richmond had to offer. Its 350 acres of colorful trees, open lawns, red brick collegiate gothic style buildings, rolling hills, and Westhampton Lake definitely make it one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. There, we also got the chance to meet with other Bonner scholars. It was interesting to see how many things we all had in common. Nonetheless, I believe that the thing that really brought us together was our belief in community service. It was our enthusiasm for volunteering that really helped us appreciate the different sites they helped volunteer at. What intrigued me was that the sites they showed us that they had a good background in medicine. We visited and EMT squad/cadet program and a hospital where two of the sites have been at. It was interesting to see that people in their Bonner program learned a lot about complex material such as science. For example, one of the Bonners was a business major and he still knew how to operate under an EMT program, something drastically different than his area of concentration.
Later that day, we were also given the chance to have a tour of the American Civil War Center. The exhibit presents the story of the Civil War, its causes, course, and its legacies from the viewpoints of Unionists, Confederates, and African Americans -- the war's three main participant groups. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of the three groups because they were fighting for something they passionately believed in. I observed that the central tragedy, the great irony of the war, is that all three groups were fighting for the legacy of the American Revolution, but they profoundly disagreed about what that legacy was. This was made known to me when I saw how hard each of the three groups tried to uphold the foundation of their beliefs. The history behind each story was just enormous and I was definitely impressed by the amount of depth we all carry within our races.
Overall the trip was an amazing experience that gave me a more comprehensive perspective of the Civil War. Not only did I learn but I also shared this experience with a great group of people. I hope there are more journeys like this to come because this trip was definitely one to remember. I will always cherish the bond with the new friends I made. Again, I thank those people who made all this possible. Thank you Bonner.
-Randolph Portugal
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
My experience in VA
There is nothing like stepping in the shoes of your ancestors and going where they have been, seeing some of what they saw, and feeling what they felt. My sophomore trip to Richmond, VA brought this experience to life when we visited a historic slave trade site. Instead of listening to someone speak the terrible experiences the slaves underwent when being captivated by the Caucasian Americans, we lived it. We were told to place ourselves in bondage and follow the orders of the leader by linking up hand in hand in a line with the follow tourists. Our right to speak was taken away from us and we could not break the bonds, for they represented chains that wereused to keep the slaves in confinement. We moved from the boating dock area where the slaves where millions of slaves were dropped off to the inland area where plantations were placed. This walk was somewhat difficult for some of us because we couldn't scratch ourselves, pick up what had been dropped from our pockets, and for some, simply keep up with the group. My contemplation during this nearly led me to tears with the frustrating thought that my great grandparents had done this very thing, and walked in this way on this very ground, and under much harsher circumstances. The hatred that was directed towards my ancestors and towards me till this very day is very disturbing and is not understandable to me.
Afterwards, we visited a place where slaves were sold and a slave jail. Once again, distraught feelings were provoked as I imagined my ancestors going into those locations and being put under those situations. It was very saddening to see. I couldn't bear to see what I had known to be true visually come to life, even though it wasn't in its entirety.
The next day, we visited the Civil War museum. It was a great learning experience and I loved the beautiful sites we got to see. Although I know that the Civil War was not fought for the freedom of slaves, I do very much appreciate the outcome of it, and the fact that Lincoln used freeing slaves as a tactic to win the war. If this had not occurred, I may very well be not alive to see this beautiful day, or I may very well be in chains.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to reconnect with my acestors past and history.
-Victoria Thompson
Afterwards, we visited a place where slaves were sold and a slave jail. Once again, distraught feelings were provoked as I imagined my ancestors going into those locations and being put under those situations. It was very saddening to see. I couldn't bear to see what I had known to be true visually come to life, even though it wasn't in its entirety.
The next day, we visited the Civil War museum. It was a great learning experience and I loved the beautiful sites we got to see. Although I know that the Civil War was not fought for the freedom of slaves, I do very much appreciate the outcome of it, and the fact that Lincoln used freeing slaves as a tactic to win the war. If this had not occurred, I may very well be not alive to see this beautiful day, or I may very well be in chains.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to reconnect with my acestors past and history.
-Victoria Thompson
Sophmore Class Trip 2010
THANKS to everyone (Pat, Sejour, G, and Rich) who made this trip possible. Due to your hard work and commitment the sophomore trip was a success. I am very appreciative of the opportunity I was given to attend this trip. Having the chance to learn more about American history and connect with my Bonner classmates was great. I believe the sophomore class trip to Richmond, VA was a very informative and rewarding experience.
Our first experience started when we participated on a slave trail tour. The tour guide, Ralph, was very sincere and enthusiastic because of his interest in the history I was able to remain engaged throughout the tour. Learning about the slave trade in Virginia and how it was rooted and grounded in Richmond was emotional. To be on the actual sites that salves were forced to work under captivity left me astonished. Throughout the time we spent at this site Ralph encouraged us to do certain activities so we could experience a small inkling of what the slaves went through. During most of these activities I felt powerless to both society and to myself. Shortly after this Ralph described the way slaves were treated in jail. He was brutally honest with us and emphasized the pain and the suffering the slave endured during that time. When talking about the jailed slaves he explained how they were beaten, whipped, and tormented until they experienced blistering pain.
On Sunday, we meet with three Bonners Scholars from the Richmond University. They generously welcomed from the start. We started the day by having breakfast together. During breakfast they were eager to know us and our Bonner program. We spent time learn more about them and their school as well. After eating they then took use to their The Bonner sites and explained what they do. They seemed really engaged in their sites and most importantly they are making an impact in their community.
Our last activity was the Civil War Museum. During this tour we were able to observe some impressive displays and learn what they meant to the city of Richmond. Our tour guide Dan was very knowledgeable and energetic. I believe one of our Bonner took something from the tour. There was an incredible museum exhibit that allowed us to read historical facts and observe touching images.
As a result of this trip I have learned some very important facts about history and has created a closer bond with my Bonner graduating Class. I truly believe because of this trip the sophomores who attended have created a bond that can not be taking away. I was thankful that I was given this opportunity to attend this trip and I Look forward to Next year’s Junior Trip.
-ALBERT
Our first experience started when we participated on a slave trail tour. The tour guide, Ralph, was very sincere and enthusiastic because of his interest in the history I was able to remain engaged throughout the tour. Learning about the slave trade in Virginia and how it was rooted and grounded in Richmond was emotional. To be on the actual sites that salves were forced to work under captivity left me astonished. Throughout the time we spent at this site Ralph encouraged us to do certain activities so we could experience a small inkling of what the slaves went through. During most of these activities I felt powerless to both society and to myself. Shortly after this Ralph described the way slaves were treated in jail. He was brutally honest with us and emphasized the pain and the suffering the slave endured during that time. When talking about the jailed slaves he explained how they were beaten, whipped, and tormented until they experienced blistering pain.
On Sunday, we meet with three Bonners Scholars from the Richmond University. They generously welcomed from the start. We started the day by having breakfast together. During breakfast they were eager to know us and our Bonner program. We spent time learn more about them and their school as well. After eating they then took use to their The Bonner sites and explained what they do. They seemed really engaged in their sites and most importantly they are making an impact in their community.
Our last activity was the Civil War Museum. During this tour we were able to observe some impressive displays and learn what they meant to the city of Richmond. Our tour guide Dan was very knowledgeable and energetic. I believe one of our Bonner took something from the tour. There was an incredible museum exhibit that allowed us to read historical facts and observe touching images.
As a result of this trip I have learned some very important facts about history and has created a closer bond with my Bonner graduating Class. I truly believe because of this trip the sophomores who attended have created a bond that can not be taking away. I was thankful that I was given this opportunity to attend this trip and I Look forward to Next year’s Junior Trip.
-ALBERT
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Bonner Bonding
I would like to start by thanking everyone who made this trip possible; your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. The sophomore class trip to Richmond, VA was an eye-opening and rewarding experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about American history while simultaneously bonding with classmates.
After making the six hour trek to Virginia, we began our trip by participating on a slave trail tour. The tour guide, Ralph, was incredibly enthusiastic and made the experience genuine and interesting. On the tour, we had the opportunity to learn about the history of slave trade in Virginia and its roots in Richmond. We saw places where slaves actually lived and worked many years ago. Ralph prompted us to complete an exercise where we had to walk in a line while holding the shoulders of the person in front of us. While this task may seem elementary, it is harder than one might think. Participating in this activity gave us the smallest glimpse of what everyday life was like for slaves who were forced to live without freedoms.
The next part of the tour was very emotional as we had the opportunity to go to the site of Lumpkin’s jail. Ralph explained the ways in which the slaves were tortured in the jail. His recount was graphic and disturbing as he described how the slaves were beaten with wooden paddles until they blistered on their behinds and once they blistered, they continued to be paddled until the blisters opened. Then the wounds were covered in salt. As Ralph explained the process, I felt sick to my stomach for those that had to endure this pain.
On Sunday morning, we had an opportunity to meet with three Bonners from the Richmond program. We began the day by sharing breakfast together and got to know more about them, their school, and their Bonner program. I am always interested in learning about other Bonner programs so I was grateful to have had the opportunity to talk to them. The Richmond Bonners then took us to their sites and explained what they do. I found each of their three sites very interesting and I can tell that they are all making a huge impact on their community.
Our next activity consisted of visiting the Civil War Museum. We had another excellent tour guide, Dan, whose enthusiasm and interest for the subject truly shined through in his tour. During this experience we were able to take part in a guided tour which afforded us the opportunity to learn from an expert and ask questions. Afterwards, we were able to wander through the museum exhibit. Each person was drawn to something different in the exhibit and this gave us a chance to reflect on our own.
Although this trip was an important educational experience, one of the most rewarding aspects for me was the opportunity to bond with other sophomore Bonners. Coming into the trip, I only knew six of the ten other students who were attending. By the end of the experience, all of the students and staff members had formed a close bond. I am truly grateful that I had the chance to get to know these amazing individuals. Each has something unique and important to bring to the table. The sophomore class trip to Richmond, VA was an amazing experience and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to attend.
Alyssa Brent
After making the six hour trek to Virginia, we began our trip by participating on a slave trail tour. The tour guide, Ralph, was incredibly enthusiastic and made the experience genuine and interesting. On the tour, we had the opportunity to learn about the history of slave trade in Virginia and its roots in Richmond. We saw places where slaves actually lived and worked many years ago. Ralph prompted us to complete an exercise where we had to walk in a line while holding the shoulders of the person in front of us. While this task may seem elementary, it is harder than one might think. Participating in this activity gave us the smallest glimpse of what everyday life was like for slaves who were forced to live without freedoms.
The next part of the tour was very emotional as we had the opportunity to go to the site of Lumpkin’s jail. Ralph explained the ways in which the slaves were tortured in the jail. His recount was graphic and disturbing as he described how the slaves were beaten with wooden paddles until they blistered on their behinds and once they blistered, they continued to be paddled until the blisters opened. Then the wounds were covered in salt. As Ralph explained the process, I felt sick to my stomach for those that had to endure this pain.
On Sunday morning, we had an opportunity to meet with three Bonners from the Richmond program. We began the day by sharing breakfast together and got to know more about them, their school, and their Bonner program. I am always interested in learning about other Bonner programs so I was grateful to have had the opportunity to talk to them. The Richmond Bonners then took us to their sites and explained what they do. I found each of their three sites very interesting and I can tell that they are all making a huge impact on their community.
Our next activity consisted of visiting the Civil War Museum. We had another excellent tour guide, Dan, whose enthusiasm and interest for the subject truly shined through in his tour. During this experience we were able to take part in a guided tour which afforded us the opportunity to learn from an expert and ask questions. Afterwards, we were able to wander through the museum exhibit. Each person was drawn to something different in the exhibit and this gave us a chance to reflect on our own.
Although this trip was an important educational experience, one of the most rewarding aspects for me was the opportunity to bond with other sophomore Bonners. Coming into the trip, I only knew six of the ten other students who were attending. By the end of the experience, all of the students and staff members had formed a close bond. I am truly grateful that I had the chance to get to know these amazing individuals. Each has something unique and important to bring to the table. The sophomore class trip to Richmond, VA was an amazing experience and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to attend.
Alyssa Brent
Bonners take on Richmond
The sophomore trip to Richmond, VA was loads of fun and educational. Sunday, we had the opportunity to meet three Bonner Scholars from the University of Richmond- the largest Bonner program in the country. Each student took us to his or her site, one of which was a hospital in downtown Richmond. As a nursing student, I was especially interested in the service opportunities at this site, such as providing support to patients' families and loved ones. After we departed U of R, the group headed for a tour of the canals at the American Civil War Center. I learned a great deal about how the island was a strategic asset to the Confederacy during the Civil War. Our tour guide, Dan, informed us that Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy because it was only about 100 miles away from the Union capital, and our nation's capital today, Washington D.C. Personally, the Richmond trip was an incredible opportunity to get to know my fellow classmates. Throughout the year we are all spread out at our respective sites and do not get to spend as much time together as we would like to develop as a class. I look forward to next year's adventure! Thank you to all who made this trip possible, Cate Moore
Monday, March 22, 2010
My Great time in VA
I want to first thank Pat, Sejour, G, and Rich, and the rest of the staff for making this trip possible. I truly enjoyed this trip and probably will never forget it. This trip has made me realize that many, many, people who are my ancestors paved the way for me in order for me to be here right now. This trip has made me appreciate life, my loved ones, my service, and everything else. I am truly grateful that I am a part of a community of people who want to be the change the world needs. And also with the progam, it has gotten us to travel to places to see how different things in life impact us.
When I was going on this trip, I thought that it would be about history and just facts thrown at us so that I can hear the same things that my professors have said and read in the textbooks. This was not the case.
We first arrived to the Slave Trail tour which was an eye opener and also a HUGE humbling experience. We saw the different things that slaves had to endure which is beyond comprehension. First we saw the lake/river that the slaves sailed on and brought on land boat. It was amazing to know that I was right there where slaves saw their homes for the first time after leaving their native land. We then traveled through the actual trails that the slaves had to walk through. We did an exercise where we had to walk hand in hand then hand on the person in front shoulders and walk as if we were the slaves. This made me tear a little. I realized that these people were treated like products and nothing more and this is what they had to endure for 200 years. I thought that "this could have been me". Then we went to another site where the prison was located. On our way to the prison stop, our tour guide Ralph, showed us an old house that was used for auctioning slaves. He pointed out that it was to be made into an apartment building later on this year, which will be interesting to see because I don't know who would want to live in a place like that.
The next day we went to see the Bonners from University of Richmond, which is such a BEAUTIFUL campus. They showed us each of their sites. I was especially intrigued with one of the sites that helps kids from thrid world countries with surgery that they may need. This really touched me since I was born and raised for five years in a third world country. And I also enjoyed the other site where they went to the hospital that helps children during their time of sickness. Many people forget that medicine is more than science and also about the care and easing the patient throughout the process. This was also another favorite of mine. I am very interested in urban/global health so I thought that the sites were incredible!
We then went to the Civil War tour which helped me understand what people went through when the nation was fighting one another. I really think this helped me understand that people had to go through hell in order to have the kind of world that we live in. Although it is not perfect, it is FAR from that era that they lived in.
This experience also left with a bond with some of my classmates. Since this is my first year in the program, I had a chance to really talk to some of the people I don't usually talk to. They are great people! I had a chance to talk to some people and understand more about them and their sites. We had MANY, MANY laughs and I thought this made it even better because I love to laugh. This experience has also made me break out of my shell. I admit that I used to stick to my race/ethnicity but after this trip and really understanding my peers, I realize that there are awesome people everywhere! It has made me become closer to some people, get to know some, and really understand some too. I would do this all over again and cannot wait for the next class trip! This is one of the reasons why I love being part of this org. It has gotten me to see places outside my city and change my perspective on different subjects and people. It has shown me that change is bigger than what I envision it to be but what people as a whole can envision and then act together on.
When I was going on this trip, I thought that it would be about history and just facts thrown at us so that I can hear the same things that my professors have said and read in the textbooks. This was not the case.
We first arrived to the Slave Trail tour which was an eye opener and also a HUGE humbling experience. We saw the different things that slaves had to endure which is beyond comprehension. First we saw the lake/river that the slaves sailed on and brought on land boat. It was amazing to know that I was right there where slaves saw their homes for the first time after leaving their native land. We then traveled through the actual trails that the slaves had to walk through. We did an exercise where we had to walk hand in hand then hand on the person in front shoulders and walk as if we were the slaves. This made me tear a little. I realized that these people were treated like products and nothing more and this is what they had to endure for 200 years. I thought that "this could have been me". Then we went to another site where the prison was located. On our way to the prison stop, our tour guide Ralph, showed us an old house that was used for auctioning slaves. He pointed out that it was to be made into an apartment building later on this year, which will be interesting to see because I don't know who would want to live in a place like that.
The next day we went to see the Bonners from University of Richmond, which is such a BEAUTIFUL campus. They showed us each of their sites. I was especially intrigued with one of the sites that helps kids from thrid world countries with surgery that they may need. This really touched me since I was born and raised for five years in a third world country. And I also enjoyed the other site where they went to the hospital that helps children during their time of sickness. Many people forget that medicine is more than science and also about the care and easing the patient throughout the process. This was also another favorite of mine. I am very interested in urban/global health so I thought that the sites were incredible!
We then went to the Civil War tour which helped me understand what people went through when the nation was fighting one another. I really think this helped me understand that people had to go through hell in order to have the kind of world that we live in. Although it is not perfect, it is FAR from that era that they lived in.
This experience also left with a bond with some of my classmates. Since this is my first year in the program, I had a chance to really talk to some of the people I don't usually talk to. They are great people! I had a chance to talk to some people and understand more about them and their sites. We had MANY, MANY laughs and I thought this made it even better because I love to laugh. This experience has also made me break out of my shell. I admit that I used to stick to my race/ethnicity but after this trip and really understanding my peers, I realize that there are awesome people everywhere! It has made me become closer to some people, get to know some, and really understand some too. I would do this all over again and cannot wait for the next class trip! This is one of the reasons why I love being part of this org. It has gotten me to see places outside my city and change my perspective on different subjects and people. It has shown me that change is bigger than what I envision it to be but what people as a whole can envision and then act together on.
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