Marshall Lewis
22
this night we stayed a local pilgrim house, a place which houses teens on nightly basses. One of the interesting features of the hostile was that it was also the home of a local bike shop, which used recycled parts to create bikes. Just like t he reCYCLEry in carrborro, NC.After our stay at the hostile we meet, or in my case revisited, Charles McKinney. A professor of African American studies in Memphis. He talked o us about how the image of African Americans has changed throughout history, an how even after reconstruction there was still a battle to obtain equality. His lecture really gave us a unique perception of the black struggle, and allowed us to have a greater historical context later on that day when we visited the infamous Loraine motel, now known as the national civil rights museum. For all of those whom are unaware, the Loraine motel was where the assasination of mlk took place. On he balcony of room 306. The motel has now been convited into a national museum filled with the historical events of the civil rights movement. Such as the Sanitation strikes of Memphis or the bus boycotts of Montgomery. Unfortunately due to copyright laws I was not allowed to take any photographs; however I can tell you that the museum was one of the most informative moments of this trip. It was incredible to see how many sacrifices had to he made by my parent's and grandparent's generations. The museum really opened my eyes to the brutalities that MY family had to go through so that I may go to a integrated school. Or even something as simple as talking to one of a different race in a candy store.
Thursday 23
Today was a normal day, besides the fact that I crashed going about 40 mph downhill. All I can say is that there was a sharp turn that I couldn't make and I flew head over heels into dense brush. Lucky for me the bushes and twigs broke fall from the ensuing cliff, which actually saved my life. I walked away with a couple of scars on my face and now my hand looked like wolverine went H.A.M on me But other than that today was an average day. We finished the ride and rested at a local camp ground with our host "uncle Phil"
June 24
Tonight SNR camped out at the piney campgrounds in Tennessee. Even though we had camped out before, this was the first time where we were surrounded by other teens and had the opportunity to swim and play basketball. This was also the first and only night where we started a campfire. Throughout this trip this was SNR's first"real" camping experience, and by real I mean hot dogs s'mores and the whole 9. We explored the grounds for all their worth, ate some hotdogs, roasted some s'mores; hooped it up on the court, and ended the night with all of the boys sprinting into the lake. Shout out to Mahlique Keith to being the first one to dive in. It was really one of those nights where we could unwind and enjoy ourselves. However, our happy go lucky façade was broken when we were encountered by to little girls while exiting the lake. At once we were greeted by the same word by which many of our parents and grandparents have been: the n word These two little girls; born and raised in Tennessee, were not a day older than 8. In fact the exact quote was "I'm seven and a half now shut your f-ing mouth." this was one of those situations where we are reminded of why we are embarking on this journey, not to bike across the country, but to understand the hardships of the enslaved people running towards freedom. When we are use to a certain type of people, such as the many privileged and open hearted people in my town Chapel Hill, NC, we often forget that not everyone is the same. It is this reality and security which damages our ability to perceive the upbringings of others. In this instance I realize that these two little girls are not necessarily bad people. In a sense they are no different from me. The are, how there were raised. There parents have instilled racism into there bones just as mine have made sure that I am never judging one by their outward appearance or their interpersonal beliefs. It is simply by the luck of the draw that I was on that side of the line. In conclusion this experience easier reminder that can not forget that there still are dangers on our route and that not every was raised by the same morals.
Saturday 25
Today was Houston's birthday. He turned the big one seven (17). An age where young gamers can finally buy M rated games, and when teens can finally watch r rated movies without there ever-loving parents present to buy the tickets. For his birthday we camped out at the land between the lakes in Kentucky. Also as a special treat Suependa bought pizza and ice cream for dinner. But mayor one or the memorable moments if the day came when we met a local camper named Kirsten Herndon. All of the guys met her on our way to the basketball courts. Born and raised in Kentucky, she gave us a tour of the campground and later Invited Houston and the gang back to her RV for s'mores. This only being the second time ofthe trip we had s'mores we all kept burning the marshmallows, but it didn't really matter because we were too busy having fun telling Kirsten and her family about the trip, while simultaneously cracking jokes on one another. In my olinik. This was the funnest night of the trip because we met some really cool people who were willing to feed us s'mores and hotdogs and hear our story. We all loved hanging out at their campsite and when we finally had to leave, (which ended up being around 12), we promised to keep in contact, which we still do. Needs as to say that calm and chill night at the campsight with our new best friend from Kentucky Kirsten was a birthday to remember
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012
June 29
June 29
Today was mahlique's 17th birthday, which was only five days after Houston's but to me it felt like our night at that Kentucky campground was months ago. Now we are in Indiana, the birthplace of both Suependa and mahlique; and as a special treat their family and suependas other three children drove down to Corydon to greet us. And as an additional treat "yai" (mahlique's grandmother) brought homemade tai food. And this food was delicious. My mom is in love with tai food; so I'm no stranger to pa tai and yellow curry, but these homemade dishes were the best I've ever had in my life. And probably the first time I ate "real" tai food and not an American spin off. Needless to say I consumed five full plates, and by full I mean the food was about to fall off the plate. The food was great but the best part of the day was the look on mahlique's, Suependa's, and Kevin's faces as they were reunited with their family. Getting up and biking everyday is difficult both mentally and physically. Having a strong family to support you is that one factor that makes you keep going
July 3
the eve of July 4th. This was the first time in the entire trip where we stay in a hotel. To be more specific it was the embassy suites, located across the bridge from cincinnati, OH. The parents gave us each $20 and pretty much said get out and explore the city, be back by 11. Ao naturally the kids went out the find some Chinese food. Unfortunately today was Sunday and all the local shops were closed down. After separating from the rest of the the group me and Ibn stayed in Covington and walked around for hours trying to find someplace to eat. Around 9 pm, out of desperation, we fi ally walked across the bridge into the city. To my amazement we were greeted by iron man 2 playing on a big screen in the town square, and more restaurants than I wanted to choose from. Coincidently we found the rest of the group in the first place we entered, and and after eating we went out to the square to watch fireworks. It was great to have the freedom to walk around the city and do what you wanted, such as kyvon dance battling little kids and a homeless man. It's a type of freedom we don't have while on the bike and I can speak for the group when I say that this was a bonding experience, which brought us all closer.
July 4th
Today was the big day. The day all of us had been looking forward to for this whole trip. Today SNR woke up from our hotel in Covington, and drove 40 minutes to Kings Island, OHIO.
INSERT PICTURE
The second we exited the van every single one of us was ready to dash through the entrance and head straight to the BEAST, a roller coaster that Suependa had ridden as a child. And rightfully named the beast was a crazy ride. I swore I was going to die once we started to ascend and I saw the first drop. And I'm not gonna lie I was holding sue's hand for that first big one. But just like every roller coaster you ride, that fear turned into exciment as we rolled around the first turn. By the end the whole crew was yelling, screaming and laughing at one another as we flew over each additional twist. At the end it was so fun that we ended up going again. Actually beacauee we were there so early we all did it at least 3 more times. After the beast we all were sea hint for the baddest roller coasters in the whole park. We hit a couple stumbles, like the crypt. I swear I've taken my 5 year old cousin and more exciting rides. Just a suggestion to anyone wanting to go to kings island..... Just let that one go. But even after such rides we found the one that made the day. The diamonback was by far the most extreme coaster I have ever been on in my life. The first drop was 90 degrees, and I kept thinking "how the hell am I still falling?". The best part for me was hearing chris, who was sitting next to me, scream " oh shoot!" for the entire ride. And my reaction might have been partly shock and partly fear from the actual roller-coaster, but i laughed so hard i didn't stop crying until about 5 minutes after we left the ride. After the diamback the group split up with the four boys (Chris, Mahlique, Kyvon, and Houston) going to the water park, and the rest of us going to get food at one of the cafeterias. So we ate and laughed at how everyone reacted to the rides and had a good time while we chomped on our pizza and orange chicken. It wasn't until a couple of hours later until he the group reunited at th delreiem, an insane contraption that twisted you around and hen swung you back and forth...... Really high. And het has these pointy spike sticking up from the ground, and I promise that they were about two feet from hitting me. And of course the best part was hearing the screams and distorted curses from my fellow SNR members. After that ride it became time to leave the park, unfortunately . But even as we left we could define rly look back and smile as realized that this park represents our trip nearing it's end. Only ten days left.
July 5
Sent from my iPhone
Today was mahlique's 17th birthday, which was only five days after Houston's but to me it felt like our night at that Kentucky campground was months ago. Now we are in Indiana, the birthplace of both Suependa and mahlique; and as a special treat their family and suependas other three children drove down to Corydon to greet us. And as an additional treat "yai" (mahlique's grandmother) brought homemade tai food. And this food was delicious. My mom is in love with tai food; so I'm no stranger to pa tai and yellow curry, but these homemade dishes were the best I've ever had in my life. And probably the first time I ate "real" tai food and not an American spin off. Needless to say I consumed five full plates, and by full I mean the food was about to fall off the plate. The food was great but the best part of the day was the look on mahlique's, Suependa's, and Kevin's faces as they were reunited with their family. Getting up and biking everyday is difficult both mentally and physically. Having a strong family to support you is that one factor that makes you keep going
July 3
the eve of July 4th. This was the first time in the entire trip where we stay in a hotel. To be more specific it was the embassy suites, located across the bridge from cincinnati, OH. The parents gave us each $20 and pretty much said get out and explore the city, be back by 11. Ao naturally the kids went out the find some Chinese food. Unfortunately today was Sunday and all the local shops were closed down. After separating from the rest of the the group me and Ibn stayed in Covington and walked around for hours trying to find someplace to eat. Around 9 pm, out of desperation, we fi ally walked across the bridge into the city. To my amazement we were greeted by iron man 2 playing on a big screen in the town square, and more restaurants than I wanted to choose from. Coincidently we found the rest of the group in the first place we entered, and and after eating we went out to the square to watch fireworks. It was great to have the freedom to walk around the city and do what you wanted, such as kyvon dance battling little kids and a homeless man. It's a type of freedom we don't have while on the bike and I can speak for the group when I say that this was a bonding experience, which brought us all closer.
July 4th
Today was the big day. The day all of us had been looking forward to for this whole trip. Today SNR woke up from our hotel in Covington, and drove 40 minutes to Kings Island, OHIO.
INSERT PICTURE
The second we exited the van every single one of us was ready to dash through the entrance and head straight to the BEAST, a roller coaster that Suependa had ridden as a child. And rightfully named the beast was a crazy ride. I swore I was going to die once we started to ascend and I saw the first drop. And I'm not gonna lie I was holding sue's hand for that first big one. But just like every roller coaster you ride, that fear turned into exciment as we rolled around the first turn. By the end the whole crew was yelling, screaming and laughing at one another as we flew over each additional twist. At the end it was so fun that we ended up going again. Actually beacauee we were there so early we all did it at least 3 more times. After the beast we all were sea hint for the baddest roller coasters in the whole park. We hit a couple stumbles, like the crypt. I swear I've taken my 5 year old cousin and more exciting rides. Just a suggestion to anyone wanting to go to kings island..... Just let that one go. But even after such rides we found the one that made the day. The diamonback was by far the most extreme coaster I have ever been on in my life. The first drop was 90 degrees, and I kept thinking "how the hell am I still falling?". The best part for me was hearing chris, who was sitting next to me, scream " oh shoot!" for the entire ride. And my reaction might have been partly shock and partly fear from the actual roller-coaster, but i laughed so hard i didn't stop crying until about 5 minutes after we left the ride. After the diamback the group split up with the four boys (Chris, Mahlique, Kyvon, and Houston) going to the water park, and the rest of us going to get food at one of the cafeterias. So we ate and laughed at how everyone reacted to the rides and had a good time while we chomped on our pizza and orange chicken. It wasn't until a couple of hours later until he the group reunited at th delreiem, an insane contraption that twisted you around and hen swung you back and forth...... Really high. And het has these pointy spike sticking up from the ground, and I promise that they were about two feet from hitting me. And of course the best part was hearing the screams and distorted curses from my fellow SNR members. After that ride it became time to leave the park, unfortunately . But even as we left we could define rly look back and smile as realized that this park represents our trip nearing it's end. Only ten days left.
July 5
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, June 20
Monday, June 20
Today SNR embarked on it's first history lesson on the use of colored troops in the civil war. The group visited Brysons crossroads, where Union and Confederate troops collided in a battle which ended up in the retreat of the Union forces. In the fray the army commanded the us colored troops to send cover fire at the advancing southerners in an effort to cover their retreat. Amazingly in a mission that was ment to be one if a human shield, the us colored troops layer down some if the most devastating fire in all of the civil war and successfully halted the southern troops. This was just one example if how African americans began to earn respect for their actions and began to become recognized as equal, and I believe that we must all honor those whom died fighting in this struggle.
21
After days of dupe ESA and Kevin stressing about good behavior, today we finally arrived at aunt lene's house in Memphis tennesse (kevin's sister). She was one of the most welcoming hosts of our journey. At once she invited us to kick back and relax on her couch while we watched Americas got talent. She even cooked us barbecue chicken beans, will fresh hotdogs. It was really one of those times where you felt at home amongst people whom truly care for your well being. The best part of the night was when a slew of family friends came to the house and the best of Michael Jackson was popped into the cd player. The house was full of laughing adults and little kids doing their best pelvic trusts. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was one of those all fashioned cookouts where all were invites to let themselves go and relax
Sent from my iPhone
Today SNR embarked on it's first history lesson on the use of colored troops in the civil war. The group visited Brysons crossroads, where Union and Confederate troops collided in a battle which ended up in the retreat of the Union forces. In the fray the army commanded the us colored troops to send cover fire at the advancing southerners in an effort to cover their retreat. Amazingly in a mission that was ment to be one if a human shield, the us colored troops layer down some if the most devastating fire in all of the civil war and successfully halted the southern troops. This was just one example if how African americans began to earn respect for their actions and began to become recognized as equal, and I believe that we must all honor those whom died fighting in this struggle.
21
After days of dupe ESA and Kevin stressing about good behavior, today we finally arrived at aunt lene's house in Memphis tennesse (kevin's sister). She was one of the most welcoming hosts of our journey. At once she invited us to kick back and relax on her couch while we watched Americas got talent. She even cooked us barbecue chicken beans, will fresh hotdogs. It was really one of those times where you felt at home amongst people whom truly care for your well being. The best part of the night was when a slew of family friends came to the house and the best of Michael Jackson was popped into the cd player. The house was full of laughing adults and little kids doing their best pelvic trusts. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was one of those all fashioned cookouts where all were invites to let themselves go and relax
Sent from my iPhone
July 18
July 18
I last left off talking a about the irony of salem's current community, after that day we visited the little town of Gainsville, Alabama. This was probable one of my favorite days of the trip so far. We had an average mornings, a 5:30 wakeup and on our bikes by 6. Everything was normal, Mr.Brogden ( a local history teacher) was pushing the lead and somehow smoking the rest of the group with his constant revolutions, whith Kevin Hicks (co founder of SNR) staying In the back and constantly yelling "stay in line!" however our day took a turn for the awesome when we arrived at town hall to the sound of a large welcoming crowd and a band playing when the saints come marching in. We immediately discovered that the town had anticipated out arrival and organanized a welcoming party, hosted by the mayor and a group and college students who took a year off to do service work. The town and put together a program In out favor and treated us to a horse drawn carriage ride throughout the town, as well as play by the college organization (naps). The play went through the history of slavery, portraying a man who was captured from Africa and following his journey until he eventually "wades in the water" and "follows the drinking gourd" to his perpetual freedom in the north. Leaving the town was both a happy and sad moment. Happy because we were a to enjoy ourselves and feel like celebrities I'm a sense, but also sad because we had to leave those people by which held so much faith in us.
Sent from my iPhone
I last left off talking a about the irony of salem's current community, after that day we visited the little town of Gainsville, Alabama. This was probable one of my favorite days of the trip so far. We had an average mornings, a 5:30 wakeup and on our bikes by 6. Everything was normal, Mr.Brogden ( a local history teacher) was pushing the lead and somehow smoking the rest of the group with his constant revolutions, whith Kevin Hicks (co founder of SNR) staying In the back and constantly yelling "stay in line!" however our day took a turn for the awesome when we arrived at town hall to the sound of a large welcoming crowd and a band playing when the saints come marching in. We immediately discovered that the town had anticipated out arrival and organanized a welcoming party, hosted by the mayor and a group and college students who took a year off to do service work. The town and put together a program In out favor and treated us to a horse drawn carriage ride throughout the town, as well as play by the college organization (naps). The play went through the history of slavery, portraying a man who was captured from Africa and following his journey until he eventually "wades in the water" and "follows the drinking gourd" to his perpetual freedom in the north. Leaving the town was both a happy and sad moment. Happy because we were a to enjoy ourselves and feel like celebrities I'm a sense, but also sad because we had to leave those people by which held so much faith in us.
Sent from my iPhone
June 15-17 Marshall Lewis
June 15-17 Marshall Lewis
Its been a long couple days, as you can probably tell by my lack of blogging lately. So I'm going to give you a brief summary of the last 3 days. After our stay with the Quaker family in northern Alabama we began to travel to certain historical landmarks in Montgomery and Birmingham. Soaking in the cultural significance of such sites as the 16th street baptist church, home of infamous church bombings of 1963, which claimed the life's of four young girls an sparked rebellious conflicts that's helped fuel the civil rights movement. In Montgomery we visited the state capital, which over looked the civil rights memorial with the inscription: "until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" -MLK. This quote symbolizes how the injustices of the world should be over run by the natural flow of justice; however, I could not help but witness the irony of our surrounding as I learned that the same capital which over looked the memorial was build by the same people who escaped slavery through the underground railroad. I experienced the same ironic feeling yesterday when SNR visited Selma, the home of the 3 marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge; home of bloody Sunday. For all of those whom aren't familiar with the meaning of the marches, as I was days ago, then i'll inform you that the marches were non-violent protests against poll taxes and the other injustices that prevented African Americans from casting their ballots. Bloody Sunday was when the local police unleashed a variety of "crowd control " tactics against the protested. Many people lost their lived to the onslaught of tear gas, police brutality, and attack dogs. Yet as I walked through
Selma could not help but notice how the current city seemly failed the expectations that their predecessors had fought for. We met wonderful andge generous people in Selma. By no means M I trying to disprispext the city. Yet at the same time certain aspects kf the city stood out to me: such as the 50% drop out rate, or the fact that our hosts whom were lifelong residents didn't feel safe traveling to a gas station Alone at night. In fact after selma began to break the boundaries of racism injustice, the white population relocated. So far on this trip I have noticed how our present racial conditions seem to have come out differently then what our forefathers fought for. People have begun just how lucky they are to have the freedoms they have today. At a certain point in time simply getting a drink of water could lead to a body hanging in the trees. And maybe I am overexagerating the issue but it's just one reoccurring theme that I've started to observe through this trip
Sent from my iPhone
Its been a long couple days, as you can probably tell by my lack of blogging lately. So I'm going to give you a brief summary of the last 3 days. After our stay with the Quaker family in northern Alabama we began to travel to certain historical landmarks in Montgomery and Birmingham. Soaking in the cultural significance of such sites as the 16th street baptist church, home of infamous church bombings of 1963, which claimed the life's of four young girls an sparked rebellious conflicts that's helped fuel the civil rights movement. In Montgomery we visited the state capital, which over looked the civil rights memorial with the inscription: "until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" -MLK. This quote symbolizes how the injustices of the world should be over run by the natural flow of justice; however, I could not help but witness the irony of our surrounding as I learned that the same capital which over looked the memorial was build by the same people who escaped slavery through the underground railroad. I experienced the same ironic feeling yesterday when SNR visited Selma, the home of the 3 marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge; home of bloody Sunday. For all of those whom aren't familiar with the meaning of the marches, as I was days ago, then i'll inform you that the marches were non-violent protests against poll taxes and the other injustices that prevented African Americans from casting their ballots. Bloody Sunday was when the local police unleashed a variety of "crowd control " tactics against the protested. Many people lost their lived to the onslaught of tear gas, police brutality, and attack dogs. Yet as I walked through
Selma could not help but notice how the current city seemly failed the expectations that their predecessors had fought for. We met wonderful andge generous people in Selma. By no means M I trying to disprispext the city. Yet at the same time certain aspects kf the city stood out to me: such as the 50% drop out rate, or the fact that our hosts whom were lifelong residents didn't feel safe traveling to a gas station Alone at night. In fact after selma began to break the boundaries of racism injustice, the white population relocated. So far on this trip I have noticed how our present racial conditions seem to have come out differently then what our forefathers fought for. People have begun just how lucky they are to have the freedoms they have today. At a certain point in time simply getting a drink of water could lead to a body hanging in the trees. And maybe I am overexagerating the issue but it's just one reoccurring theme that I've started to observe through this trip
Sent from my iPhone
June 18-20 Marshall Lewis
June 18-20 Marshall Lewis
Saturday, June 18
After we left Gainsville the group continued onward to a town called Aliceville, where we were scheduled to stay in a national guard armory. Unfortunately out guide never showed up to open the facility. But once again our lucky streak continued as local Paster, (Charley Wilson), both opened up his home as well as his wallet as he provided us a place to sleep and bought us dinner from a local dive. His hospitality is greatly appreciated and I thank him for his support. It is because if people like him that allowed for the slaves to sucrasfully reach freedom, as well as SNR being able to complete our journey.
Sunday, June 19
On this morning we made our first "official" underground railroad stop: meaning that this was the first town in which it's history was engraved with slavery. The local church was run by conductors, people whom gave escapees shelter. The church had 10 hidden rooms where they hid slaves from the eyes of southern catchers. When we toured the town the mayor expressed how even though the town's population has decreased since it's conductor days, they are still striving to educate the population on the harsh conditions of the fleeing africans. In fact, both the mayor and commissioner are planning to open an underground railroad museum, thus creating the first underground railroad museum in all of Alabama. Crazy right? Its amazing that in 2011 southern states still haven't begun to set up landmarks and museums for the underground railroad. It just goes to show you how there is still a Lot of work to do to give people a broader understanding the journey that many enslaved persons had to take to obtain freedom. That night we stayed with local Quakers John and Andrea: with their children, Nicholas,Bea, and Olivia. On the farm they taught us how to milk goats and ride horses it was one of those nights where we could relax and enjoy ourselves after a long day; one that I think we really needed.
Monday, June 20
Today SNR embarked on it's first history lesson on the use of colored troops in the civil war. The group visited Brysons crossroads, where Union and Confederate troops collided in a battle which ended up in the retreat of the Union forces. In the fray the army commanded the us colored troops to send cover fire at the advancing southerners in an effort to cover their retreat. Amazingly in a mission that was ment to be one if a human shield, the us colored troops layer down some if the most devastating fire in all of the civil war and successfully halted the southern troops. This was just one example if how African americans began to earn respect for their actions and began to become recognized as equal, and I believe that we must all honor those whom died fighting in this struggle.
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, June 18
After we left Gainsville the group continued onward to a town called Aliceville, where we were scheduled to stay in a national guard armory. Unfortunately out guide never showed up to open the facility. But once again our lucky streak continued as local Paster, (Charley Wilson), both opened up his home as well as his wallet as he provided us a place to sleep and bought us dinner from a local dive. His hospitality is greatly appreciated and I thank him for his support. It is because if people like him that allowed for the slaves to sucrasfully reach freedom, as well as SNR being able to complete our journey.
Sunday, June 19
On this morning we made our first "official" underground railroad stop: meaning that this was the first town in which it's history was engraved with slavery. The local church was run by conductors, people whom gave escapees shelter. The church had 10 hidden rooms where they hid slaves from the eyes of southern catchers. When we toured the town the mayor expressed how even though the town's population has decreased since it's conductor days, they are still striving to educate the population on the harsh conditions of the fleeing africans. In fact, both the mayor and commissioner are planning to open an underground railroad museum, thus creating the first underground railroad museum in all of Alabama. Crazy right? Its amazing that in 2011 southern states still haven't begun to set up landmarks and museums for the underground railroad. It just goes to show you how there is still a Lot of work to do to give people a broader understanding the journey that many enslaved persons had to take to obtain freedom. That night we stayed with local Quakers John and Andrea: with their children, Nicholas,Bea, and Olivia. On the farm they taught us how to milk goats and ride horses it was one of those nights where we could relax and enjoy ourselves after a long day; one that I think we really needed.
Monday, June 20
Today SNR embarked on it's first history lesson on the use of colored troops in the civil war. The group visited Brysons crossroads, where Union and Confederate troops collided in a battle which ended up in the retreat of the Union forces. In the fray the army commanded the us colored troops to send cover fire at the advancing southerners in an effort to cover their retreat. Amazingly in a mission that was ment to be one if a human shield, the us colored troops layer down some if the most devastating fire in all of the civil war and successfully halted the southern troops. This was just one example if how African americans began to earn respect for their actions and began to become recognized as equal, and I believe that we must all honor those whom died fighting in this struggle.
Sent from my iPhone
June 24 Marshall Lewis
June 24 Marshall Lewis
Tonight SNR camped out at the piney campgrounds in Tennessee. Even though we had camped out before, this was the first time where we were surrounded by other teens and had the opportunity to swim and play basketball. This was also the first and only night where we started a campfire. Throughout this trip this was SNR's first"real" camping experience, and by real I mean hot dogs s'mores and the whole 9. We explored the grounds for all their worth, ate some hotdogs, roasted some s'mores; hooped it up on the court, and ended the night with all of the boys sprinting into the lake. Shout out to Mahlique Keith to being the first one to dive in. It was really one of those nights where we could unwind and enjoy ourselves. However, our happy go lucky façade was broken when we were encountered by to little girls while exiting the lake. At once we were greeted by the same word by which many of our parents and grandparents have been: the n word These two little girls; born and raised in Tennessee, were not a day older than 8. In fact the exact quote was "I'm seven and a half now shut your f-ing mouth." this was one of those situations where we are reminded of why we are embarking on this journey, not to bike across the country, but to understand the hardships of the enslaved people running towards freedom. When we are use to a certain type of people, such as the many privileged and open hearted people in my town Chapel Hill, NC, we often forget that not everyone is the same. It is this reality and security which damages our ability to perceive the upbringings of others. In this instance I realize that these two little girls are not necessarily bad people. In a sense they are no different from me. The are, how there were raised. There parents have instilled racism into there bones just as mine have made sure that I am never judging one by their outward appearance or their interpersonal beliefs. It is simply by the luck of the draw that I was on that side of the line. In conclusion this experience easier reminder that can not forget that there still are dangers on our route and that not every was raised by the same morals.
Sent from my iPhone
Tonight SNR camped out at the piney campgrounds in Tennessee. Even though we had camped out before, this was the first time where we were surrounded by other teens and had the opportunity to swim and play basketball. This was also the first and only night where we started a campfire. Throughout this trip this was SNR's first"real" camping experience, and by real I mean hot dogs s'mores and the whole 9. We explored the grounds for all their worth, ate some hotdogs, roasted some s'mores; hooped it up on the court, and ended the night with all of the boys sprinting into the lake. Shout out to Mahlique Keith to being the first one to dive in. It was really one of those nights where we could unwind and enjoy ourselves. However, our happy go lucky façade was broken when we were encountered by to little girls while exiting the lake. At once we were greeted by the same word by which many of our parents and grandparents have been: the n word These two little girls; born and raised in Tennessee, were not a day older than 8. In fact the exact quote was "I'm seven and a half now shut your f-ing mouth." this was one of those situations where we are reminded of why we are embarking on this journey, not to bike across the country, but to understand the hardships of the enslaved people running towards freedom. When we are use to a certain type of people, such as the many privileged and open hearted people in my town Chapel Hill, NC, we often forget that not everyone is the same. It is this reality and security which damages our ability to perceive the upbringings of others. In this instance I realize that these two little girls are not necessarily bad people. In a sense they are no different from me. The are, how there were raised. There parents have instilled racism into there bones just as mine have made sure that I am never judging one by their outward appearance or their interpersonal beliefs. It is simply by the luck of the draw that I was on that side of the line. In conclusion this experience easier reminder that can not forget that there still are dangers on our route and that not every was raised by the same morals.
Sent from my iPhone
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