Impactful Life Moments - Reflections on My 2023 FTNE
Throughout the 2023 Freedom Trail National Excursion, I was introduced to many new experiences, from new foods to museums to people who participated in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. There were many unforgettable and valuable moments during this excursion.
One experience during this excursion that resonated with me the most was meeting JoAnne Bland and her sister, Lynda Blackmon Lowery, in their hometown of Selma, Alabama. This was eye-opening because I met two powerful women who faced a lot of trauma during their adolescent years. They spoke to us about their lives as kids, living during times of extreme racism and segregation. In addition, they shared their experience on the Selma to Montgomery March, in which Lynda was the youngest person to complete the march. Their stories and dedication to always fight for what is right were inspiring because they showed me that their willingness was stronger than their fear. Because of OLASTEO, I had the opportunity to meet them and educate myself on their experiences. The chance to meet them will always be one of the most significant learning experiences of my teenage life.
Another experience that resonated with me was visiting the Legacy Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. Walking into the museum, I did not know what to expect, but I came out with so much knowledge about the history of segregation and slavery. The first exhibit depicted enslaved men, women, and children at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean with chains over their necks and shackles on their hands and feet. It was a horrifying but impactful statement on the transatlantic slave trade. As I continued, there were walls of information about a history I was unaware of. The information talked about the unfortunate circumstances that African Americans have faced throughout the history of this country. They had to battle being enslaved and having all their rights taken away. They had to deal with the danger of being killed and separated from their families, never to be seen again. Then, once slavery was abolished, they still had to face racism, segregation, and the U.S. prison system. It is safe to say that I left that museum with a new perspective on U.S. history.
This excursion was one of the most beneficial experiences of my life to date, where I engaged with new people and expanded my knowledge. I learned fundamental lessons about life that were newly introduced to me because of the OLASTEO 2023 Freedom Trail National Excursion. My outlook on life has changed, and my awareness of historical context has increased, which is why I will always be appreciative of this excursion.
