Introduction about the origin, history and meaning of the Beloved Community
The Becoming a Beloved Community trip stands as a vital
endeavor at Governor State University, offering an indispensable journey that
addresses a significant need of learning more about history. Why is it so
crucial, you might wonder? This trip transcends mere travel; it’s a
transformative odyssey. It affords participants the opportunity to delve into
various museums, unraveling the essential truths of America's history of
slavery. On a deeply personal level, the Becoming a Beloved Community trip
has allowed me to cultivate my teamwork skills, fostering bonds through deep
emotional moments. From witnessing the river where the last slave ship in
America, the Clotilda resided. To hear the trials endured by our ancestors
through slavery, Jim Crow, and into the present day, each experience was
profound. Lending a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear became indispensable
on this journey. I was able to meet the descendants of Clotilda ancestors and
hear their journeys of discovering themselves and their history to be able to
pass it on to generations to come. This trip has to continue for years to come
at GSU because it truly not only changes people and opens their eyes to the
reality of America but it also gives people the ability to learn more on the
history of all of our ancestors and in the end bring us closer together because
at the end of the day it is up to all of us to use the history we learn and to
make a better future. - Lamaya Jackson
My experience of Becoming the Beloved Community was worth
every second that we spent together. The trip was beyond my expectations. The
history of the enslaved Africans was interesting and informative. The stories
were in different dialogues that were heartbreaking and made me feel
disconnected from humankind, I wondered what kind of human would inflict such
torture on another human being. The experience left me wanting to know more
about who I am and how I can be a service to people who are in the circle of
generational trauma. Whether society wants to believe it, or not enslaved
Africans left a trail of trauma that unfortunately passed down through
generations of families. Currently, the same injustices that formed enslavement
are still present today. Reminds me of a quote from George Orwell, “The most
effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own
understanding of their history.” This is why ‘Becoming the Beloved Community’
can be a beacon to students so they may learn the history of their ancestors,
and that history can be shared with peers, co-workers and family about the
trauma and torture their ancestors endured. When we learn about the history of
one another we can better understand the why and how history may have affected
generations of people. Martin Luther King Jr, once said” Injustice anywhere is
a threat to justice everywhere.” Becoming a part of the beloved community
helped me better understand who I am. - Sonya
Hoard
My experience with the Beloved Community was very eye-opening
and something that I will never forget. The best way to describe the experience
would be culture shock, as I meet with and hear stories from and about people
who have lived a life that I could only absorb through readings of history.
After this trip I have developed a sense of empathy that I don't believe I
could ever experience just through a class or a lecture. The Beloved Community
should continue in the future for future generations, especially for the
generation whose history is being threatened with being removed from schools'
education. Continuing this experience will allow many doors and opportunities
to open as well as creating new long-lasting relationships, not just with
myself, but also with those I've travelled with. - Rayvon Shelley-Phillips
With my experience of joining the Beloved Community, it has
been a mesmerizing experience. At the start of the experience, it all felt so
new to me because I never felt a sense of community before. After all, I had
never been a part of any sports team or clubs before, so this was my first time
being a part of a community that felt unified. With all of us being together in
Alabama, I instantly grew into a second family because we all went through this
journey together, as one. We’re all different people with different lives and
stories, but we share the same history and even experiences, so I feel
connected to every single last person, a part of this community. The Beloved
Community has provided me with a sense of insight that I never had before
taking this trip. I’ve been taught about slavery and segregation in school
before, but it was very desensitized. It was originally taught to me as a
“lesson” or a “unit” in school and instantly moved on to the next unit after a
week. But it should've been taught as an important and unfortunate piece of
history that still affects black people to this day, so I didn’t understand the
parameters until joining the Beloved Community. Therefore, it is important to
continue the Beloved Community to bring to light history that tries to get
swept under the rug. I was educated so much about my history, my people, my
ancestors, and myself and I’m so grateful for all of the wisdom I was given. I
was even inspired to ask more important questions to my family about my history
and even found out I have Nigerian in my bloodline. Overall, this experience is
one that I will remember for the rest of my life because of all the real and
sentimental moments I shared with the individuals in this community. I laughed,
cried, and was mesmerized throughout this entire trip, never a dull moment and
everyone apart from it made it a magical experience. - Kenyon Benton
My experience of going on the beloved community trip was
something I had never experienced before. I have been an advocate for equal
rights and equal treatment, and I have attended protest events in the past.
This was the first time I had experienced some of the harder conversations and
seen the hurt in person. As a white male, I have a privileged existence that I
sometimes take for granted. It was important to learn about the treatment and
experiences of the past to grow and do better going forward. It was an
experience more students need regardless of their ethnicity; everyone can grow
from this journey. The beloved community needs to continue so Governors State
University can evolve in the right way. This experience makes leaders, fosters
personal growth, and creates a community of diverse people. - Brett Porter
My experience on the beloved community trip was deeply
emotional, both during and after. I had the chance to connect with numerous
individuals and gain insights from diverse perspectives. As a Mexican American,
it led me to ponder about my ancestors and the current struggles faced by my
community, particularly with the existence of detention centers that separate
families. The parallels between historical injustice and present-day realities,
and how society often turns a blind eye to them, deeply affected me. What
stirred me the most were the thoughts of the children who suffered during
slavery, torn from their families and siblings. With a background in social
work and aspirations to become a school social worker, specializing in working
with children, this struck a chord. My internship at an alternative school
exposed me to a system seemingly designed to funnel children into the juvenile
system and perpetuate cycles of oppression, akin to modern-day slavery under
different guises. This journey taught me the importance of critical thinking
and conducting thorough research to uncover truths often obscured by history's
narratives. While uncomfortable, acknowledging the darker truths is essential
for effecting change. That's why I am committed to continuing the work of
building the beloved community; complacency is not an option. We must challenge
ourselves to learn and teach the truth, even if it invites disdain from others.
Comfort breeds complacency, and it's time to break free from selfishness and
fear. Fear is natural, but it's what we do with it that matters. The courage of
those who resisted during slavery paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy
today. Personally, I've found newfound courage to speak out, even in front of
crowds, a feat I once deemed impossible. I will not be silent, for I know that
speaking out is necessary. Despite not being deeply spiritual before, I now
believe that a higher power guided me to embark on this transformative journey
and placed the people I met along the way for a reason – to unite us in the
pursuit of building a beloved community. I will continue to fight for this
cause, for my people, and for humanity. ¡Para mi gente! - Kimberly Gonzalez
The Beloved Community journey has been one of the most
enriching experiences of my 23 years. Traveling to Alabama with a diverse group
of students—varying in age, background, nationality, gender, and areas of
study—transformed us from strangers or mere acquaintances into close
companions. By sharing spaces and embracing vulnerability, we forged deep
connections. The Beloved Community must continue, as it offers a profound
developmental opportunity, fostering self-discovery and a deeper understanding
of world history. This journey pushed me out of my comfort zone, compelling me
to speak publicly and confront emotions I often suppress. Through this
experience, I discovered my passion for leadership, uniting people around a
cause, and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. - Ayooluwa
Ayamolowo