I spent my fall break going on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage sponsored by the Office of Student Development. The trip took us through historical sites through Memphis, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala. and Atlanta. The trip was to bring together a diverse group of Marquette people. A pilgrimage is defined a long journey to a sacred place or a journey of exalted purpose and moral significance. This trip was the essence of a pilgrimage with memories that would last a lifetime.
The trip began with an exhausting van ride to Memphis. In Memphis, the group toured the National Civil Rights Museum. It was formerly the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The museum detailed parts of the Civil Rights movement from slavery until present day activists.
It especially detailed the 1960s portion of the Civil Rights movement with the protest marches, sit-ins, freedom rides and King. The most amazing part of the exhibit was seeing the room where King was assassinated and just reflecting on his life and dedication to the rights of others. The other part of the exhibit is across the street and it details where assassin James Earl Ray stayed and the exact angle he took to assassinate King. Outside of the museum, the group was surprised to meet Rev. Kyles who was on the roof with King when he was assassinated. It was like we were in the presence of history.
The trip then took us to Birmingham where we toured Miles College after spending a night at University of Alabama at Birmingham. We then spent time at the Birmingham News and listened to reporters, editors and city officials describe to us the reporting of the news during the movement and also personal reflections on the times, and how Birmingham is progressing toward the future.
Our pilgrimage brought us to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute where we got to tour the many different aspects of the movement with particular emphasis on Birmingham and the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, a Civil Rights leader. On the tour people who lived through the movement gave us personal accounts of the events, which once again helped us experience history in the flesh. We ended our Birmingham trip with a walk through Kelly Ingram Park, which was a central location for protests. We got to walk through a park where previously dogs and water hoses were set on students our age.
The final destination of the trip was Atlanta where we went to The King Center, which detailed the life of King and his wife Coretta Scott. The area includes his birth house and the tomb where he and his wife are buried. It encompasses what he was about and the pilgrimage was about, a devotion to serving others.
The pilgrimage was one of the best experiences I have ever had at Marquette. The camaraderie shared among the people showed me that King's dream is something worth fighting to achieve. We were able to discuss things from justice and equality to jean suits and clear heels. The packed vans and cranking that Soulja Boy made it a grand trip. I think we all learned that even during the time of a heightened sense of social consciousness things began to change due to the force of young people. I hope that everyone at Marquette will get an opportunity make the same trip at least once in his or her lifetime.
The trip would not have been possible without Pamela Peters, assistant dean for Intercultural Programs and her graduate assistant Catherine Heidke. A special thanks also goes out to hall directors Dannie Moore of Abbottsford and Carla Cadet of Cobeen, along with Fran and Meg the GPS monitor, for helping out with everything. Thanks to everyone who went on the trip and for making it a truly memorable experience. Let's make Marquette better because of it.