Reflection: B1G10 Life Series
A year ago today, I embarked on a life-changing trip that I had yet to share my thoughts and emotions about. Today, I finally have the opportunity to reflect on that experience and put my feelings into words.
As a representative for the University of Illinois at the B1G Life series, I felt honored. However, I knew that simply attending the event wouldn't be enough. I had made a pledge to fight for justice, and it was essential for me to take the lessons from my trip and use them to help others. Writing this piece allows me to process and document the profound emotions I experienced throughout that weekend, and by sharing it with others, I hope to connect with people who may resonate with my journey.
Before I visited Selma, a mentor told me that the impact of this trip would be difficult to convey through words alone. I now understand the truth in those words. I am still learning, and writing this piece serves as a reminder of that ongoing journey. I firmly believe in the power of media as a tool for change, and I am convinced that remaining silent in the face of injustice aligns us with the oppressor.
Among the countless moments that moved me during the trip, one particular picture stands out—the image that brought me to tears. While exploring The Legacy Museum, I deliberately chose to navigate the exhibits alone. It was during this solitary journey that I stumbled upon a wall featuring a story about a young boy sentenced to the death penalty. The pain endured by him and his family seemed unfathomable until I laid my eyes on the photograph. The image captured the boy tightly hugging his wailing mother, while she remained stoic, a single tear streaming down her face. In that moment, my tears began to flow. The story was not from the distant past; it was from 2014—a part of an exhibit showcasing injustices within the last two decades. It was a stark reminder that America has yet to fully reckon with its history. Though the players may have changed, the oppressive system remains intact. How is it that one human being believes they possess the power and authority to take the life of another, especially that of a child, without absolute certainty of their guilt?
Leaving the museum, I was rendered speechless, struggling to find the right words to express my thoughts. When Dr. Bre, another mentor of mine, inquired about my impressions, all I managed to utter was, "that was a lot." I now realize that my response, though seemingly inadequate, was an honest reflection of the overwhelming emotions coursing through me. It encapsulated the tears shed as I witnessed hologram children in the slave trade yearning for their mothers, the infuriating descriptions of slaves by white men, the wall adorned with approximately 400 jars filled with soil from lynching sites across the country, and the final room of the museum—a poignant and beautiful conclusion to our experience at The Legacy Museum. I longed to capture these moments in photographs and to spend more than the mere two hours we had inside. However, I realized that this was a site one must experience firsthand. No matter how much one learns about the atrocities faced by Black people in America through social media, news channels, or books, nothing compares to the indescribable impact of an immersive experience at The Legacy Museum.
Finally, I contemplated the responsibility I felt to help others, as mentioned at the beginning of this reflection. I reflected on the true essence of being a great leader—dedicating time and effort to self-improvement with the ultimate goal of serving others. I acknowledge that my journey is ongoing, and I welcome any assistance and advice, for I understand that no great accomplishment is achieved in isolation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqTAAHUJ54g - Watch here for a Video Recap from the BIG10