During the month of November, 2013, the junior class at the International School of Americas (ISA) visited a multitude of places throughout the deep south, including Birmingham, Alabama, a place some consider to be the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. As a student at ISA, I was able to leave the classroom and learn about this movement in a better light, instead of in the traditional, and boring, textbook/classroom setting. While the purpose of a field trip is not only to get out of the classroom, but actually learn something in the process, each student was assigned note sheets with the order of filling them up with our thoughts, and subsequently, create a website about what we had written down, which aimed to help us internalize more of the knowledge we acquired. Undeniably this task worked, as I still remember almost everything I learned on the class trip, however, it was definitely annoying having to write down everything I learned. Either way, here I am, telling you about my experience.
The first significant place we traveled to was Kelly Ingram Park, also known as the home of the dangerous and inhumane Children’s Marches. Serious and almost too life-like sculptures of the most memorable, not necessarily the nice kind of memorable, events of the marches were displayed every twenty steps you took around the park. Before this trip my class and I had seen videos of the dogs attacking the children, fire hoses spraying their skin to the bone, and police brutally abusing the older teens, but actually seeing the sculptures, and feeling the rough edges of the creations inspired by these infamous marches, helped me realize how important and incredible the people involved in this movement were. There is, and this trip proved, a stark difference between seeing something on TV and visiting the place of the event.
After walking throughout the park and reading every single thing provided to us, we were off to hear a woman, Janice Kelsey, speak about her experiences during this era. Kelsey, a black woman in her 50’s, was a child marcher. She remembers everything she fought for, and she remembers the times when the sculptures in the park moved. Here is a link to a recording of some of her thoughts on the educational differences between blacks and whites in the 50s and 60s: Children’s Marcher
Our next stop was on the way home at the Lyndon B. Johnson library in Austin, Texas. Here we were put in groups and assigned different topics to delve into at this museum. While we were able to see many a picture of LBJ and his associates at this museum, our most helpful research came to us while we were reflecting on what we had seen in the building. This is something that can only happen if you visit and actually step foot in a different learning environment. If we had not been granted this reflection time, my group and I realized that we would not have come to the conclusions about our topic that we did.
Without the experience of legitimately standing in places that MLK and Janice Kelsey stood and reflecting on what I was able to do and learn, half of the things I know now would not be available to me or anyone I know. Education is important, but stepping out of your comfort zone and daring yourself to think about things from a different perspective is the only way you’ll ever reach your goals.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Touching, Seeing, Understanding”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog aand check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content
for yourself? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning
here. Again, awesome site!
Essential bags: Remember to bring commonly used medicines, prescription medicines, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, wound closures, etc.
Thanks for sharing
Very nice article. I certainly love this site.
Contine the good work!
Wow, Fran Falkin’s pet travel tips are a lifesaver! ? Planning our pet-friendly vacation has been a breeze thanks to these insightful tips. We followed tip #2, and now our fur baby practically loves their carrier, making our journey stress-free. Plus, we found a cozy hotel that welcomes our pet, so they’re enjoying the adventure just as much as we are. Thanks, Fran, for turning our pet travel worries into tail-wagging excitement!
Hey There. I found your weblog using msn. That
is a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of
your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly
comeback.
i wish i was chinese
I am genuinely pleased to read this weblog posts which includes plenty
of helpful information, thanks for providing
these kinds of statistics.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular
article! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest changes.
Thanks for sharing!
Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka with our family tours. Discover unforgettable experiences for all with Family Tours Sri Lanka. Book your adventure today with Sri Lanka Family Tours.
Great post.
Yes, recent trends suggest that Americans are regaining confidence in vacations and travel. As travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, many Americans are showing a greater willingness to travel and explore destinations again. However, it’s important to stay updated on travel advisories and safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Reading Fran Falkin’s insights took me back to my first trip with Whiskers, my feline companion. The chaos of ensuring he was comfortable amidst the hustle of the airport was a lesson in patience. Had I come across these invaluable tips earlier, our journey would’ve been as smooth as a calm sea.
Thank you! I value it!
Great information. Cheers.
Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this website.
Continue the good work!
I read your article on the Sheep of Sun Valley and I found it very fascinating and enjoyable. You have given a detailed and colorful account of your experience at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, which celebrates the history and culture of sheepherding in Idaho. I think your article is a great way to introduce this unique and fun event to other travelers and families who are looking for a different and memorable adventure.
This is something new I saw on the internet today I want to thank you for writing such a great and helpful blog. I really appreciate your efforts.