-Bronson Ford
The dreaded day has finally come and passed, but it was absolutely fantastic. Today unfortunately marked the end of the PSU Freedom Tour. Thankfully, we spent our last few hours together learning where many civil rights activists also learned: the Highlander Folk School.
ENGL 297H started the day by driving from Birmingham, Alabama, to the outskirts of Knoxville, Tennessee. Once we arrived, we proceeded through narrow, rural roads, passing donkeys and cows, to ascend to the mountaintop perch of the rustic school.
I looked forward to this day for a long time. When I first learned about Highlander during my senior year of high school, I knew that I wanted to visit the center someday. I knew that it was the catalyst for major social change, with the likes of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and many others receiving unique education necessary to carry out their work. I too hope to help accomplish social change in my lifetime, and so I figured that spending sometime at Highlander would be beneficial for me.
We first introduced ourselves and reflected on the trip, with many of us stating that we were shocked by the everlasting inequalities evident throughout the South. Then we moved on to create and demonstrate skits on the six core organizing methodologies that Highlander has taught to successful activists. Next everyone received a small biography on a successful Highlander student, and we impersonated and acquainted ourselves with our fellow Highlander students. It reinforced my idea that we must remember the unsung activists of the Civil Rights Movement, and any movement for that matter, for they were the true laborers of the social change. Soon we toured the premises and learned more about the school's history as we walked around the beautifully picturesque grounds.
I had figured that a visit to Highlander would be beneficial for my activism, and I'm certain that it was. The short lessons that we learned validated my political activism. I saw my time on previous political campaigns a bit reflected in the Highlander methodologies, and I'm now certain to carry on those methodologies for the rest of my life. I hope to use those lessons to bring about positive social change during my lifetime.
After playing a few rounds of tetherball, our class ate a delicious dinner at Highlander, and we enjoyed our last cups of favored authentic, southern Sweet Tea. On the way to the hotel, I became a bit saddened when I realized that the PSU Freedom Tour was all but over. I can say without a doubt that this has been the best week of my collegiate career. I learned so much and made so many new friends, and I know that I would not have had this extraordinary opportunity elsewhere. I'm so grateful and thankful for all of the departments and academic colleges that made this trip possible, along with Dr. Selzer for his unyielding commitment to ensuring we receive a thorough education. I would also like to thank our dedicated bus driver, Frank J. Finsinger; our devoted TA, Laura Michael Brown; and our steadfast videographer, Casey Fenton.
Towards the end of our lessons, we were asked to write down what ultimate lesson we will take home from this trip. I wrote that I will always remember, "The compassion that is necessary to bring about change." I will never forget that idea, and I pledge to always have the necessary compassion to bring about change. Ultimately, I will never forget this trip.
The dreaded day has finally come and passed, but it was absolutely fantastic. Today unfortunately marked the end of the PSU Freedom Tour. Thankfully, we spent our last few hours together learning where many civil rights activists also learned: the Highlander Folk School.
ENGL 297H started the day by driving from Birmingham, Alabama, to the outskirts of Knoxville, Tennessee. Once we arrived, we proceeded through narrow, rural roads, passing donkeys and cows, to ascend to the mountaintop perch of the rustic school.
I looked forward to this day for a long time. When I first learned about Highlander during my senior year of high school, I knew that I wanted to visit the center someday. I knew that it was the catalyst for major social change, with the likes of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and many others receiving unique education necessary to carry out their work. I too hope to help accomplish social change in my lifetime, and so I figured that spending sometime at Highlander would be beneficial for me.
We first introduced ourselves and reflected on the trip, with many of us stating that we were shocked by the everlasting inequalities evident throughout the South. Then we moved on to create and demonstrate skits on the six core organizing methodologies that Highlander has taught to successful activists. Next everyone received a small biography on a successful Highlander student, and we impersonated and acquainted ourselves with our fellow Highlander students. It reinforced my idea that we must remember the unsung activists of the Civil Rights Movement, and any movement for that matter, for they were the true laborers of the social change. Soon we toured the premises and learned more about the school's history as we walked around the beautifully picturesque grounds.
I had figured that a visit to Highlander would be beneficial for my activism, and I'm certain that it was. The short lessons that we learned validated my political activism. I saw my time on previous political campaigns a bit reflected in the Highlander methodologies, and I'm now certain to carry on those methodologies for the rest of my life. I hope to use those lessons to bring about positive social change during my lifetime.
After playing a few rounds of tetherball, our class ate a delicious dinner at Highlander, and we enjoyed our last cups of favored authentic, southern Sweet Tea. On the way to the hotel, I became a bit saddened when I realized that the PSU Freedom Tour was all but over. I can say without a doubt that this has been the best week of my collegiate career. I learned so much and made so many new friends, and I know that I would not have had this extraordinary opportunity elsewhere. I'm so grateful and thankful for all of the departments and academic colleges that made this trip possible, along with Dr. Selzer for his unyielding commitment to ensuring we receive a thorough education. I would also like to thank our dedicated bus driver, Frank J. Finsinger; our devoted TA, Laura Michael Brown; and our steadfast videographer, Casey Fenton.
Towards the end of our lessons, we were asked to write down what ultimate lesson we will take home from this trip. I wrote that I will always remember, "The compassion that is necessary to bring about change." I will never forget that idea, and I pledge to always have the necessary compassion to bring about change. Ultimately, I will never forget this trip.