On the Experience at Mid-Week

Late last night, nearly all of the students crowded into my hotel room to share a planned meeting that they had (without the adult mentors and chaperones) to develop a way to get the message of Creating a Usable Past to a broader audience of their peers when they return. Beyond the chance to experience the history up-close, this is the real purpose of the program. These students received invitations to the program because they are recognized leaders in their schools and communities. But with this leadership comes a heavy burden of responsibility. I can assure the readership of the blog that these young people do not take this lightly. They are encouraged to excel not only for themselves, but for those who come after . . . and isn't that what the history of the Movement teaches us, anyway?

from Darryl McCray

We black people have come a long way from where we once were. I can go all day about how we were dragged through the dirt and got the worst end of the stick. We all were given a gift from God and have to give a positive output no matter how bad the input. Just think all this over . . . the way that God made us, we had no control over what color we came out.

I always wondered why school never taught us about "the colored man" who overcame mountains to get to that little gold coin when really all along he deserved it. Instead we learn about slaves and the brutal things that were done to them. We never heard that if it wasn't for us mostly everything you see wouldn't be here. Then again we did get beaten and hanged for trying to better ourselves and others.

Editorial note: On June 15, 2010, Congressman (and movement veteran) John Lewis announced that after a steady campaign, he would finally be able to participate in a recognition ceremony of the work that slaves had done in contribution to the building of the Capitol.

See the following link: http://johnlewis.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=753