Making the Civil Rights Trip Mandatory for High-schoolers

           The question should the Civil Rights Trip be made mandatory for high-schoolers was posed to us today. Ultimately, we have decided that the answer is no. The main reason is that if the trip were to be made mandatory, the students participating would not be there by choice - similar to all the young activists who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. This is a crucial factor that unites all of us and allows us to fully appreciate the trip; the speakers, the history and each other. We would not feel quite as comfortable with one another as we do now if the trip were mandatory. Because  every single person decided to take this journey on their own, there are no restrictions on our discussions. Cost is also a huge factor. It would be extremely difficult to raise money for every high-schooler to attend the trip. Of course, there is an argument for yes as well. Students who would not initially think they would benefit from the trip may have some great realization or life changing experience. People who only have learned from books and school would be able to experience knowledge in a different way. In addition, someone who would not make it through the selection process might really gain a lot from the experience. However, by making it mandatory there would be huge numbers of students on the trip who would not be that interested. The nature of the trip would also change. The personal connections made between civil rights activists we spoke to us (such as John Lewis, Clinton Sellers, Lewis Brandon, Catherine Burks-Brooks, Cleo Goree, Willie Rivers, and Dr. Sybil Hampton) would just not be possible with such large and continuous groups. The personal connection to history that we have all created through the course of the trip would also not be as strong. The trip should be open to everyone instead of being mandatory and instead of having an application process. Nevertheless, a commitment to fundraising and the larger group would still be necessary. The goal of the Civil Rights trip is to educate young people and allow them to experience history and the struggle of the "others." This is would not be possible if the trip were to be made mandatory.

- Beth, Jess (Park), Ella, Morgan, Hal (City), and Sam (City Neighbors)