UTSA students travel to historic sites in Civil Rights Movement
Share this Story(Jan. 21, 2015) - Earlier this month, the UTSA Student Leadership Center took 41 students across four states to participate in its annual Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience trip. The Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience took place January 6-10 and ended with participation in San Antonio’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March on January 19.
The experience allowed UTSA students to become immersed in the history of the civil rights movement as well as explore current social justice issues. Participants of the trip were guided through the experience by Student Facilitators, they fostered small group discussion and peer support as they too embarked on the same journey in past civil rights trips.
The trip took students from San Antonio to New Orleans to Birmingham and on to Memphis. Students visited the 9th Ward Living Museum and other historical markers such as the Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the National Civil Rights Museum.
In Memphis, Tenn., students visited the Slave Haven Underground Railroad, the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ headquarters where Rev. Martin Luther King gave his last speech ("I've Been to the Mountaintop"), the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the W.C. Handy Museum. Along with site visits, students were required to follow a curriculum that included documentaries, written journals, group discussions and presentations from guest speakers and activists.
"The Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience has truly moved me by allowing me to step into the shoes of those throughout history," said Christina Coleman, a junior education major. "My eyes were opened because I realized that my struggles can be endured, especially knowing that my ancestors struggled severely in an attempt for freedom."
"I learned we all have to help each other to get to the top of the mountain," said Juan Zuniga, a junior biology major. “This trip also sparked my hunger for knowledge about what Mexican-Americans went through during the Civil Rights movement and what they did. Change takes time and dedication to keep going no matter how hard it knocks you down."
"I enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow with other UTSA students, our small group discussions never seemed to be long enough," said Hanna Beck, a senior political science major and student facilitator on this year's trip. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work with them. This year was definitely just as impactful as last year, if not more so, because of the climate around racial justice in America right now."
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For more information about the Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience or other leadership development opportunities, contact the UTSA Student Leadership Center at 210-458-7967 or leadership@utsa.edu, or visit the office in University Center Room 1.002 on the Main Campus.
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Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.
