Mariah Scott Blogs 2 & 3

Blog 2

I don't want this to turn into one long winded paragraph, but I feel like there is so much to be said. I will try to keep it short, simple and to the point. The past few days in Richmond have been a blur of information and inspiration. Most notably, I was surprised with what prior knowledge everyone brought to the table. As I mentioned, I was raised half in the South, half in the North, so some of the things told to us shocked my peers, but came as no surprise to myself. That said,  I felt like being surrounded by my social justice peers allowed me to see my life here in a different light, Walking around the first museum, I noticed there were three different perspectives: the North, the South, and the Slaves. Although I appreciated the effort in providing the third perspective, it really didn’t add any educational quality. The perspective stated things like “ Child slaves lives went on as normal” indicating that slavery was normal. And maybe back then it was, but in the present day, it felt like they were neglecting to acknowledge the injustice of slavery. All in all, I found this first museum to be the most intriguing and thought provoking. There was a lot of information (one may argue too much), but I felt like the owners were at least making an attempt. Well, I felt that way until our reflection that night when I  was informed that the museum was privately owned and selling confederate flags. At that point, I began to question whether the additional perspective was to appease audiences so that the owner could continue condoning the advocacy of the confederate flag.

Now, I should say that although this news did and does make me upset, I found that I was more frustrated by the lack of accommodations in the museum for individuals with special needs. As I was walking around the museum, I couldn’t help but cringe each time the metal “bar graphs” were scraped up the metal tube, eliciting a terrible screeching noise; or wonder how the museum was wheelchair accessible (since we walked down two flights of stairs to get to the museum). I thought of the different ways the museum could become interactive, with foam raised bar graphs, or puzzles to solve, or for there to be chairs or benches to sit in along the journey through history. Or better yet,  if there was a childrens place for our future generations to learn what happened so history never has to repeat itself.

I feel like that might just sum up one of my biggest takeaways (so far) for this trip: there is so much to be done with the information that we have (or that we need to seek out), but it should be about something you’re passionate about. I saw and felt Priya’s passion while talking about social injustice, particularly where races and sexes are concerned. I can empathize, support and encourage her, but as Bonners, I feel like it is our responsibility to be agents of change for whatever it is that motivates you, inspires you, wakes you up every morning. I had this moment while walking through the museum, talking with Ryan, where I realized my brain is geared towards individuals with special needs because although the facts about the war were angering, I became increasingly more and more frustrated with the lack of true effort to create a museum that could be accessible to all. At this point in my life, I’ve questioned everything about myself; it was a beautiful thing to remember once more, that without a doubt, I am where I’m supposed to be.  I look forward to seeing what the rest of this trip has to offer.

Blog 3

Have you ever felt like there was so much to be said that you were rendered speechless? As if all of your thoughts were giants all trying to run through a human sized door at the same time?  Quite the visual picture, I know. That’s how I feel about this Richmond trip, and in the best way possible.

    On this trip, I feel like I have learned more about our history of the Civil War, then I have in my entire middle school and high school career. The information presented to us, in combination with the poignant questions asked by myself and my peers, came together to create a beautiful recipe brimming with truth. From the first museum with the three perspectives (which I talk about in my previous blog), to the White House of the Confederacy museum, to the Slave Trade walk, I feel like I have gained a whole new understanding of our history. The White House of the Confederacy didn’t truly have any information that I felt was particularly surprising. The tour and museum basically summed up what learning about the Civil War was like in the South. However, walking through the museum, the conversations of my fellow Bonners brought a new train of thought as they argued certain facts and figures. I began to realize that I have some work to do. What I mean is, I had heard history lessons from the North before moving to the South, so I knew some of the things said and taught couldn’t have been completely accurate, but I never argued it. I just sat and listened. If I didn’t agree, I kept it to myself. In fact, sometimes I find myself continuing that habit. Unless, of course, it has to do with education or special needs-- in that case, you might want to grab a bucket of water because I can get a little fiery.  All jokes aside, I found that realization to be my biggest take away for the White House of the Confederacy.

    The Slave Trade walk was honestly overflowing with information. I know it's not necessarily realistic, but I wish we could have separated the walk into two different days; halfway through the walk, my legs hurt, I was thirsty, and my brain felt like oatmeal. On one hand, that was great! It was like I was getting a more real life perspective on what the slaves must have felt. On the other hand, I wasn’t able to absorb all of the information. And I really wished I could have.

    The discussion we had in the Disability Support Services was… honestly, I’m still looking for the word. Enthralling. Amazing. Emotional.  Thought-provoking. The ice breaker activity was one I would love to do again. We were given two options ( e.g. pencil, sharpie) and asked which one we felt we were more like. After hearing some of the explanations, I gained a new appreciation for the people surrounding me. Not only were the reasons well thought out, but each person was so articulate, and so unique in their answers. I was reminded once more, why I loved the people around me. The room started to feel less like a room full of Bonners, and more like a family.  I think one of the best parts of that morning was our discussion about diversity and inclusion in Bonner. Bonner staff does a lot to get a group of diverse people together. It’s about time we step up and start being more inclusive.  

    And finally, our service at the Thrift Shop reminded me of why I became a Bonner. Sometimes, I feel like I get sucked into the rut of completing my hours for the sake of my hours and I forget the reason I’m here in the first place: I love to give. Being in that thrift shop, I got swept up in my job. Time no longer existed-- all I wanted was to complete the job to the best of my ability and make sure that the people around me felt comfortable and confident to complete the jobs set out for them ( shoutout to Ryan and Katie for picking out some amazing outfits to put on display!). I felt like I was back in my groove. And man did it feel good to know that the work I was doing was palpable. People could see the differences in display and layout. So much so, that one of the outfits Katie put out ended up being sold 20 minutes later! The service didn’t feel like service; I was happy to do it and I would do it again.

    All in all, I felt this trip to be one of the most rewarding service trips I’ve been on. From the drive down, the conversations that transpired, the information gleaned and the rewarding service, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Raekwon Burton Blog 2 & 3

I've lived in the south before so I wasn't expected to be shocked by their culture because I was once a part of it. Overall, I am enjoying the trip: the people, the places, the free ice. I didn't think I'd learn as much as I did, which is surprising since I consider myself an expert on the subject of black people. I learned that no one actually cared about them, they only acknowledged the benefits of them.

Roses are red

Violence was due

Because the South owned slaves

And Abe didn't want them to

Alyssa H. Blog 3

ALYSSA BLOG 3

With every experience I have, my goal is always mainly to learn. I want to learn everything about anything, and anything about everything. This trip has left me with another lesson to add onto the list of things I have learned in my 2 years at Bonner so far. Richmond has taught me a little bit more about diversity and inclusion, about social injustice, and about the never ending struggles of racism and respect that everyone in our society is a part of. This trip has acted as an opportunity for me to better understand my position in the conversation of slavery and racism, and has shown me my responsibility to take what i have learned and apply it to my service and life at TCNJ and after I leave Bonner.
This trip was a reminder that my job is never done; Community service and life "outside of" community service are one in the same for me. I can never stop learning, volunteering, educating, serving, and caring, and I am extremely grateful for that.

Alyssa H Blog 2

ALYSSA BLOG 2

      After my first few days in Virginia, I learned a lot. I became more aware of the controversial issue of slavery and virginia's involvement with it, and how the fight is still relevant now in 2016 so many years later. I am feeling annoyed that the African American community of richmond and surrounding areas still dont have justice over a hundred years after the civil war.
      The walk on the slave trail opened my eyes. I was struggling because i cannot imagine what the life of a slave was like. It is impossible for me to imagine the struggles they went through, but i had to try. The end of the trail tho, at the cemetery, i felt very sad and grave. The vibes at the Lumpkins slave auction house and slave cemetery hit me, and my being here reinforced the pain African Americans had suffered, and still suffer.
     At the halfway mark of the trip, i felt less angry at virginia, more sympathetic towards the groups of people that are still, to this day fighting for awareness and justice of the black community.

Jen Loughren Blog 3

Blog 3

After coming home, I have been able to see that while there are differences between the North and the South, there are similarities as well, particularly when looking at the service work. The same passion for helping others was evident while volunteering at Boetz and Ruth. People came together to try and better the community in which they live. People cared about each other and showed compassion for all of the differing circumstances. It was clear that even though history was not preserved the same way in the South, a similar compassion for humanity existed.

Besides the service work, I also learned to emphasize with the people living in the south. The history that they learn is what they are taught. While they could try and seek out other ways to learn about the Civil War, it is hard to fault individuals for how they are taught something. Overall, this trip opened my eyes to a new way of life and a community that has a similar drive for helping others as our own.

Jen Loughren blog 2

Blog 2

Throughout my time in Richmond, I learned that everyone looks at the history behind the Civil War differently. When going through the museums, the point of view was skewed towards the Confederacy being in the right, and others being more in the wrong. During reflection after, it was clear that through our discussions that the reason for this might be who is funding the museums. While personal influence should not be a factor in a museum because of history objectiveness, it is not always the case. However, despite this, going on the slave trade trail tour showed the perspective of how slaves were treated before the Civil War. It showed a side of history that I have only really read about in textbooks.

Even with the different tours and museums, it was still clear which side of history was favored. The slaves and African American history was more hushed and not as preserved as the white, pro-Confederacy history was. The stark differences were clear and if Richmond would like to have a more historically objective viewpoint, the presentation of the history needs to change.

Melissa Sandoval blogs 1-3

An Informed Unknown

Never having travelled beyond North Carolina nor been in any museums in the south I am prepared to encounter the intentional neglect or skewed Black and African American perspective from museums. My reasons for believing in the intentional removal of these perspectives and thus, stopping the remembrance of a dark and controversial history comes from a visual thinking class that I took during my first year at TCNJ; it prepared me to analyze pieces of artwork and the institutions that choose the “important” pieces that will come to represent and influence what and who should be a part of a larger canon. I will remember to keep in mind what George Orwell wrote: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”

During the brief time in Richmond I expect to see exhibits, souvenirs, landmarks, sculptures, and other traces of the Civil War and its Confederate heroes; however, the objective is to see what is missing from the museums and from landmarks in Richmond. Many perspectives will be omitted to present the civil war in a light that seeks to ignore the lasting effects on the generations of slaves and millions of Black Americans. The reality and repercussions of these events on the communities of color and working class is what I seek to learn about but will have to dig deep for in a space that is dominated by individuals who would rather obscure and forget a dark past.

Blog 2:

Rated PG for You*

So far the trip aligns with the expectations of seeing an edited “PG” version of history. This PG imagery and information was played out in the African American Civil War Museum and the American Civil War Center. Although the African American Civil War Museum was aesthetically very alluring it did not do enough to promote a conversation that carries over into the next day or stays with me. With the second museum, the language, images, and events resemble a history book that gives you an overview of the perspective that the South remembers it as “the war of Northern aggression”. Unfortunately, there was also a lack of thorough and diverse viewpoints in the American Civil War Center. The lack of black voices and perspectives is a disservice to the community as a whole for obscuring the controversial sides of history. Without acknowledgement or the inclusion of such diverse perspectives, history will contribute to the inequality and injustice that minoritized communities face. To see their side of history presented and taught in a museum setting is a way to inform future generations of how racial injustice transforms over time.

In the American Civil War Center I was intrigued by the presentation of the children’s center. The descriptions gave an overview of the changes that occurred to white families and affected white children in the South but glazed over how Black Americans and their children were enslaved and killed systemically; unfortunately, these descriptions once again focused on how the lives of white children were changed drastically but did not expand upon how “life continued as before the war”. This part of the museum did not seize the opportunity to expose to children in present day about the injustices, brutality, or unearned advantages and privileges based on skin color. Ultimately, museums play an important role in educating children and adults in society about the various perspectives and lives that were affected by policies, ideologies, and inequalities both in the past and in the future.

Blog 3:

Still at the Planning Table

Public schools face criticism that it reproduces inequality. From the various observations made on the Richmond trip I have concluded that museums are at fault for reproducing the type of information that benefits a specific group in society and taking part in the acceptance of skewed or watered down history. Of course, this is intentional. The dominant groups in society can choose how they can be seen and what will be reproduced in the future and its past. Part of having white privilege is seeing yourself represented in history but the double consciousness that is developed from not belonging to the dominant group leads to the questioning of when and where one will be represented. The representation of the minoritized groups commonly rests in the hands of the dominant group. With this being said, our representation is not our own but one that is changed and presented through a white lense in larger and institutional settings.

Always having wondered what women, people of color, and other minoritized groups have done to be pushed to the sidelines of history has created a heightened awareness of the consequences of only seeing a specific group represented on a group and individual level. The consequences of downplaying the severity of the oppression that many groups face is a consequence that is not solely gauged quantitatively. If you look around, you will see individuals in those groups declining and doubting their abilities. If you turn on the television you will see the majority of the stories reflecting your own but not intertwining ours. You will see actors and even problems reflecting your own but criticizing ours for failure to be competent and independent. I have seen with my own eyes the continuous cycle of the blackout and silence from the dominant group and how its effects span from the East to the South.    

*People who belong to the dominant group

Buy My Boy's Book 'Richmond Pt.3'

I wrote a poem, que disfruten

Yea right...

Comparison? ok..

What stands out to me the most of a difference in life in the south is how it is actually very slow-paced compared to life in the north. Also, what stood out to me during our time there is how long African American activists have had to ask for memorials, statues, and recognition of burial grounds of slaves. I remember it was only in 1996 some of there requests were taken into consideration. It seems like if this were to happen in the North, things would move quite differently and media would probably pick up a story real quick. But in the South, more than a hundred years of slavery abolition is still not enough time for even a reparation as simple as a memorial (which ended up being a famous African American tennis player).

It is also very strange to see how the civil war and slavery was and is still being taught in the South compared to the North. Ben Campbell, author and historian, a Richmond native attested that the history textbooks only mention African Americans a total of THREE times throughout the whole book. Two of these three mentions being Booker T. Washington without any mentioning of slaves. Ben, being from Richmond, seems to have a very rare perspective and knowledge about the South and its hidden secrets. He even wrote a book titled Richmond's Unhealed History which details the contradictions and crises that have formed the city of Richmond over centuries regarding slaves, and the civil war. It's good. Read. Learn. I bought it...

La Viejita Negrita Vol. 2

Some thoughts have already been settling in my mind especially during group reflection (but i didn't say nuthin).

I was thinking about the whole idea of objective history and how many said that their objective was to obtain a sense of 'objective' history of the civil war and slavery times. However, I don't think that this is necessarily appropriate for analyzing such an issue as this. There were three main sides during the civil war era - the union. confederacy, and African American perspectives. I recognize that history is retrospective in practice but as bonners  I believe that our mission while down in Virginia is to understand a completely different perspective - most importantly the perspective of African Americans living in the South. How can someone attain this perspective remaining neutral throughout this community service experience? I believe that analyzing history through an objective lens does not and will not fully give you the full idea of what really went down. Only analyzing the facts will not give you a holistic approach to history - actions are driven by sentiment and if we can that sentiment and where it came from we can achieve a new perspective.

In lighter news...

I was harassed (not really) by an elderly lady at Boaz & Ruth. Horacio and Emma were witnesses.

Rosemary Nivar -- Post 3

The slave trail hit me hardest. I can't believe that not even at the second mile I was already worn out all while having sneakers on, bug spray and having some water while the enslaved Africans had none of this and trekked for much longer and at night with many more obstacles. Overall, this trip had taught me so much. And I believe if many more people were able to have the opportunity to visit museums, take tours and really get "drunk" on the area and history, more people would understand the Black Lives Matter Movement and how still today we have a long way to go. But at least, I got to experience all this and will not let this knowledge go to waste. Along with my fellow Bonners, who already found a spark and desire to continue these conversations and exchange of ideas and knowledge, I too will push what I learned. Hopefully, I will be able to bring friends on a similar trip or family or really just anyone willing to learn more but cut off by opportunities or knowing where to start or go.

And shout out to my rising junior Bonner Class! I bonded with you guys more and I dunno I'm feeling pretty happy because of it :)

Rosemary Nivar -- Post 2

The conversations I've been having with my fellow Bonner have been deep and thoughtful. We all have undoubtedly been learning something new each time. With each new site visit and and each new conversation from Virginians. I have a stronger understanding of slavery and it's role in not only America, but the new world. And I learned about how even today, much of the history of slavery and all it's terror was swept under the rug. And we're told to forgot about slavery when all the while the confederacy is still worshipped and remembered. I've been enjoying these past couple days.

Alyssa Herrera -- Post 1:

  I am entering this trip with an open mind - my only expectations for this trip are to learn and listen to stories of civil war/slave history. I want to learn more about the lives of the people that live in the south, mainly in virginia and how they are affected by their history with slavery and the civil war. 
      Currently, I am aware that the opinions on the civil war vary among the states of the north and south. I have an idea that the south has a large population of impoverished people, maybe even more so than in the north. However, I am not certain. 
      I am excited to learn more about what is taught about the civil war from the southern point of view. Im also excited to learn more about everyone that is going on this trip ! 
     Peace

Emma Young -- Post 1

After a relatively painless journey down we have finally made it to the hotel. My expectations for Richmond are open: I have really no idea what to expect. I think I am most excited to see how the Boaz and Ruth program is run. Although my service sight is within the education division, almost everything can relate to it. Especially prisoner reentry, as poor education can be seen as one of leading causes for the high rate incarcerated young men in our country.

This trip’s goal is to learn more about the civil war. My civil war education has been limited to my sophomore year US history course. It’s been 4 years since I truly have delved into this topic. I am eager to learn more and also to explore the war through a social justice lens. It will also be interesting to look at in a Southern state: will this alter the way it is portrayed or reported? I am very interested to see the confederate white house, to see where the civil war really began and where certain beliefs were held so strongly.

Jen Laughran-- Post 1:

As we left today for Richmond, I had very little expectations for our adventure. I was not exactly sure what we were going to be doing and why this trip was such an important one. Before leaving, I knew the history behind the Civil War, why we entered the war, the major battles, the implications that slavery and freedom had, etc. I knew the information, but I did not focus as much on the importance of the freeing of slaves had on America. A large blemish on American History ended with the Civil War era, but the systemic racism continued.

Before leaving for the trip, I was excited because I love traveling and going to places I have never been before. One of the most interesting times in American history comes with the building up before the civil war and the Reconstruction era afterwards. I am excited to see Richmond and all the history that the city has in it. I cannot wait to go to the different museums and then do service in the city. I think that this trip will be an enjoyable one and one that I will learn a lot from.

Raekwon Burton -- Post 1:

1. Before leaving TCNJ:  We want to know all about your expectations for the trip.  The theme is Civil War/Slavery, so please share some of your pre-existing thoughts and ideas on the south, their opinions on the war, and what you are excited/nervous to learn on the trip.  I joined this trip having no expectations. I just know I'm going to have fun. I've lived in the south before, so I feel as if I'mknowledgeablee about what its like down here. I know that they have a distorted view of what occurred during the Civil War and during this trip I am hoping to learn what exactly they think. I am excited to compare the differences. 

Rosemary Nivar -- Post 1:
I can't wait to go on this trip. I have been to Virginia just a few weeks ago for the first time and I know there's so much more to learn! I haven't learned as much about the civil war as I need to as an American. So I'm excited to check out the museums and learn new things. And I'm also under the impression that the South is less open as the North is in terms of racial equality. I'm excited to learn more about the civil war especially from the perspective of another state and I'm ready to bond more with my fellow rising juniors! 

Mariah Scott -- Post 1:
Living in the south I've had a lot of time to learn the different sides of the story of the Civil War. I grew up in both New Jersey, Florida, and North Carolina and each school that I attended addressed and approached the issue of the Civil War in a different way. Most notable, was the bias in Southern classes toward the confederacy- history lessons consisted of reasons why the south should have won, or of "northern aggression." Some students tried to argue that the South DID win and carried confederate flags in trucks, on license plates or outside of houses. I think what I'm most curious to learn about on this trip is the strong patriotism that the South feels toward the Confederacy; after speaking with some of my peers I have heard that some people feel loyal to keep the Confederate flag up it's a part of our history that they are proud of. I think I'm just a little nervous to hear more of their story, but I feel like it's important to know as many sides of the story. In my northern classes, I felt teachers tried to address both sides, highlighting the good and the bad actions of each side. I'm hoping that these next few days will allow me to expand on this knowledge about the Civil War and our country as a whole.

La Primera Noche (Rm323)

I never really thought too much about how the South perceives the Civil War. I would say that there would probably be some truths they keep hidden about slavery probably some plantation owners denying what really went down 150 years ago. I'm hoping to learn a lot how the South differed from how they view as well as how they might teach the Civil War era.

I don't think their perception on the war will be as different as I might be expecting but I'm definitely preparing to hear some brazy stuff just in case. I'm preparing on asking some questions just to get a better sense of personal views of the tour guide or something. What I'm also expecting and really interested to hear are views from African Americans and how they might differ from some white southerners.