The Beginning of our Journey

posting by Ieisha McIntyre

Welcome to the blog of the Multicultural Scholars program of Museum Without Walls 2012. We have arrived in Nashville, Tennessee.  We are travel weary and a bit disoriented, but eager to learn of the victories and struggles that took place during The Civil Rights movement in America.  In particular, we anxiously await learning of that time in American history from those who lived through it and participated in the life changing experiences that carved out a place for our multicultural group to be able to hear the lessons of the past.

Since, our group is an all female group we have an opportunity to place a more in depth focus on the roles that women played in maintaining the focus and drive of the moment.  Women who are known and unknown.  In the postings to come you will perhaps read more about Diane Nash, Ella Baker, and Fannie Lou Hammer than you have ever heard before, perhaps not.

Today, (Aug. 11, 2012) After having watched a very well done documentary of the Freedom Riders from PBS.org last night, we spent a wonderfully heartwarming, inspiring, and enlightening time chatting with and listening to the honorable, Mr. Ernest "Rip" Patton, Jr.  Mr. Patton was a Freedom Rider who sacrificed his youth, physical safety, and college education in the pursuit of justice for all American people.  And he took time to speak with our little group.  Such a true honor.

(back row L-R): Analea Brauburger, Morgan Paige, Mariah Webb, Mr. Ernest "Rip"Patton, Jr. (Freedom Rider), Suzzanne Lacey (Museum Without Walls Director), Ieisha McIntyre, (front row, L-R) Nicole Czubin, Sara Louie, Alexi Odegard, Joanna Baxter, Maiya Loucks, Savanna Reid.



 Keep an eye out for more postings and photos!

When we got to see and walk into the jail cell, I kept imagining how Joanne [Bland] described being in jail. The same jail cell with about 14 other people who are being beaten and abused. No matress, and no plumbing to make the toilet flush.  It seems like a horrible way to live whether it would be overnight or multiple days or even months like many people chose to do instead of give in to segregation.  -Joanna Baxter

Tomorrow: Birmingham, Alabama:  The 16th Street Baptist Church and The Civil Rights Institute!