UTSA students take a journey through the history of civil rights and social justice
Share this Story(Jan. 14, 2016) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio Student Leadership Center embarked on its fifth year of the Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience, taking 35 UTSA Roadrunners across four states for an immersion into the history of the civil rights movement and an exploration of current social justice issues. Participants were guided through the experience by student facilitators who fostered a small group discussion.
The Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience took place from January 5th to 9th, and will continue with participation in the MLK March in San Antonio on January 18th. A new addition for the 2016 event was a stop in Little Rock, Arkansas, where students explored the rich history of Little Rock Central High School and walked in the footsteps of the courageous students known as the Little Rock Nine, who desegregated Central High School. From there the trip continued to Birmingham, Alabama and on to Memphis, Tennessee where students viewed other historical markers such as the Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the National Civil Rights Museum.
As the students toured downtown Memphis, they visited the Slave Haven Underground Railroad, the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ headquarters where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his last speech before his 1968 assassination, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the W.C. Handy Museum. Along with site visits, students followed a curriculum that included documentaries, written journals, group discussions and presentations from guest speakers and activists.
UTSA student Paul Cuellar called the trip a one-of-a-kind, life changing experience.
“You will come out a better person,” Cuellar said.
“This trip teaches you what the textbook doesn’t,” UTSA student Amber Calvert said. “It gives you the opportunity to explore your passions and what means of justice you are willing to stand up for. I think my favorite part of the trip was developing the desire to do my own research. There are so many questions that I have now and I am more than excited to find the answers. There is something special about learning history from those who actually witnessed it. It takes learning from being just history to being real, that will give everyone the willingness to learn.”
Student Diana Davila Elizondo (Junior, Political Science Major) said, “I am very thankful for the SLC and its staff. I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to visit all these places if it were not for this trip. It is one thing to read about all this in textbooks, but being at the actual places is amazing. I also had the opportunity to make new friends but more importantly the group activities taught me how to engage in civil discourse while talking about sensitive topics. I hope the SLC has the opportunity to create more trips like these. Maybe about Cesar Chavez or Women’s rights.”
On January 19th, the Student Leadership Center and the participants of the trip will host a Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience Reflection Presentation open to all campus community members. The event serves as glimpse into the impact the trip had on each student’s leadership development and the resolutions to civic participation they have made as a result. The reflection will be held in the University Center Mesquite Room (UC 2.01.24) at 1:30pm.
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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.
