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.