TrUe ExPeRiEnCeS...

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the William Winters Institute for Racial Reconciliation Civil Rights Summit and man what an experience. Having the opportunity to hear Dr. John Hope Franklin speak was the highlight of the day... hands down. As he shared his thoughts and experiences everyone immediately began to question their own beliefs. Even though I was kicking myself for not bringing pen and paper, I managed to grasp two quotes that really stuck out...

"Why in a democracy did we have to have a civil rights movement in the first place? To live in THIS country is a birth right of all Americans of ANY descent."

"Anyone who thinks that slavery was not part if the civil war needs to reconsider their weak position"

In all this was an insightful experience and i really enjoyed myself.

This past weekend I got to travel to GrEeNwOoD, MiSsIsSiPpI with Ashley and Ben to shoot scenes from my "Intern" movie (all Ben's idea) and I had SO much fun. We left Oxford at about noon and got there a little while later (I don't exactly remember the time because I was sleep the whole way). After arriving we met up with Ashley at Greenwood Middle School (where she teaches) and went to see her apartment (very nice). Then it all began....

First we went to see the black neighborhoods (the very bad and run down part of town), then we saw the "white" neighborhoods (the houses looked like mansions). The funny thing about this area is that both sides are separated by a body water and the only way to get to either side is by a bridge... equal but separate, right?

We then went to MoNeY, MiSsIsSiPpI to see the site where Emit Till whistled at that women (yes the store is still standing after all of that). I also got to meet a man by the name of Mr. Wille. He's lived in Money for eight years and has his own farm that "he planted with just one hoe" (including squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, butter peas, sweet potatoes, cotton <<<yes, i said cotton, and more!)  He was such a nice and generous man that he gave us a TON of food directly from his farm. I dont know how to cook, but i'm sure someone can use em.

Finally we went back to Greenwood where we had dinner (and dessert) at The Alluvian Hotel (5 STARS)!!! It was great! I had such a good time in Greenwood (despite the fact that on the way back, I went to sleep again)!!!

Over the last few days I have been introduced to lots of new people, things, and ideas...its all been WoRtH iT! This is truly what the MTC experience is about!!!