Campus Link Newsletter
Spring 2012
'Stewards of Freedom' Civil Rights Immersion Trip
Forty-nine students and RPS staff members recently spent three days in the nation’s capital to gain a better understanding of civil rights struggles faced by various groups, and to learn how those efforts continue to impact lives throughout the United States.
The group toured the National Portrait Gallery, where an exhibit called “The Black List: Photographs by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders” features the accomplishments of African Americans. Other highlights included a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building, a special MLK program at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, visits to the Lincoln, FDR, and African American Civil War memorials, a presentation by Department of Justice employees, and a visit to the National Japanese American Memorial.
The capstone event was Saturday’s visit to the newly dedicated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. “I came because Dr. King is inspirational to me,” said Ivonne Romo. “His actions and the result of his vision have impacted Latin Americans for decades. We can all learn from his sacrifices, the awareness he brought, and his strategic steps.”
“When I studied modern history as a kid, I idolized Mahatma Gandhi. That was also the time I was introduced to leaders like MLK and Nelson Mandela – the Gandhis of the modern world,” added international student Priya Powar. “I chose this trip to pay homage to such ideals.”
“I learned so much on this trip,” said Cari Morales. “I really enjoyed the diversity of places we managed to visit. When people think about civil rights, they often think about black and white, but there’s so much more!”
On Sunday, as is traditional for the Civil Rights Immersion Trip, the group attended services at a local church.
“I will have a more willing ear when people have a cause to speak up for,” said Romo. “Inequality one place is inequality everywhere.”
Shannon S. White
Content Editor
RPS Marketing and Communications
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