The Buddha said “I am Awake”

Stay tuned for “Selma Stories” – 4:00 to 5:00 minute podcasts created by each one of the travelers on this trip. Students will share a story with you about their experience. The choice is theirs, the voice is theirs. These will be up and posted by March 23. Please check back and listen to our Selma stories, you will learn a lot about Selma and even more about some great kids.

Travelers – make sure to come by and do your podcasts soon. Twelve down – six to go.

First of all, I would like to thank the fifteen students who I was privileged to join in the past four days in Selma. I’ve been traveling my entire life. I’ve taken Oakridge students to D.C. for the past ten years, gone to Selma now three times with students and three times on my own. I’ve done a lot of solo summer trips. I can say with all honesty I’ve never traveled with a group (adults or students) that has been more “awake”, travelers who were truly in the moment more than you all. You listened and you questioned. You sang songs and got up on time. You did not whine about insignificant matters. You laughed and had fun, but also buckled down and worked. You prepared yourselves. Best of all you really wanted to be in Selma, Alabama this weekend. It showed in everything that you did.

I’d also like to thank my esteemed traveling companions Mr. Green and Mrs. Carlson. Although, you had the second coolest giant white van in Alabama, Mrs. Carlson got far too much sack time, and Mr Green has blueberryitus – you guys added so much fun to the trip. And you kept us on time.

To Mr Kennedy you made it clear that going on this trip to Selma was good for Oakridge High School students. Thanks. You were so right.

To Oakridge parents who supported your sons and daughters in this endeavor – you are raising some amazing kids. You would have been so proud of their questions, their answers, most of all their spirit down in Alabama. Their actions are a direct reflection of your love and support. Well done.

And so, it’s time to carry forward the lessons learned this weekend. We have some Alabamans to thank. James Armstrong invited us into his “home” and shared with us his life. Al Benn introduced us to Jonathon Daniels and Viola Liuzzo from the unique perspective of a frontline civil rights journalist. Joanne was eleven when it all came down. She shared with us her friends, her stories, her hometown of Selma. Lynda told you about a special five day 15th birthday party. Congressman John Lewis and his aid Andrew squeezed us all (some more than others) into their very very busy schedules. From these people and many others the message seemed to be the same…”It’s up to the youth. It’s your world. Do something good with the opportunity.” The first good thing to do; extend your gratitude to our deserving hosts.

And then there’s the work to be done. We do have a world out there that needs our attention. If you walk away from an experience such as this, and do not see a mission before you, then the experience has been lost. The mission is yours alone to figure out. And the time frame will extend beyond your years. You have little things to think about, as well as grand plans to fulfill. The individuals who touched your life in Alabama will stay with you through these trials. And so you must carry the torch, you must find your own Edmund Pettus Bridges to cross.

Remember always the words of Dr. King when on March 21, 1965, from the steps of the Montgomery State Capitol, he spoke to the ages, “the moral arc of the universe is long…but it bends towards justice.” It is your right, actually your responsibility, and I think some friends in Selma would say your privilege to do the bending.

You have a destiny. Get to it. Good luck.

Salaam ‘Alaykum

Filed under: Selma, Alabama March 6