General Reflection

Okay, so, I have been intentionally avoiding this whole blogging experience for some time now, but I feel like maybe I should give it a try and just see what happens. The trip is really coming together and these past couple of days have been the best yet, both in terms of the activities and in terms of the bonds between us. I have been feeling closer to the other 40 some odd people on this trip and getting more out of the activities everyday, I guess you could say we're getting into the swing of things. We were interviewed by the press today and the whole experience of being interviewed on camera (which was aired in all its awkwardness on the 6 o'clock Raleigh-Durham news) and on paper gave me the sense that we were finally getting out message out there. And that is what this trip is really about: coming together for the sake of spreading our message to the communities we visit.

Our message is one I think we as a country, and even as a church, need to hear. It isn't necessarily a black/white issue, though that's what we are focusing on. The issue is in fact much larger, much more difficult to tackle, but our goal is that the message we spread here this week will spark the discussions, spark the realizations in the hearts of those who hear it, which will ultimately change the world we live in, which will ultimately allow all people to truly understand the full implications of the words in our Baptismal Covenant when we promise to respect the dignity of every human being. That "respect" is not a benign action. It is active, and it is difficult. I will be the first to say that I have failed in fulfilling that promise, and that I am still failing in it. My hope is not to fix the world and all that's wrong with it, but that maybe through our efforts we can make it a little bit better.

To paraphrase the words of the the Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Jesus said, 'When I be lifted up, I will draw all peoples to myself.' The key word there is "all." All all all all all, black, white, rich, poor, beautiful, not so beautiful. All all all all, gay, bi, so-called straight. We are all meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go. All.

God's peace,
~J York

True thoughts

I really feel emotionally shaken by this whole experience of Freedom Ride. My experiences have really forever changed me and really opened my heart to the wonderful bunch of youth, whom i love dearly.From the deep conversations to the light, this is a break through in courage and acceptance of all people.


Ben Padilla

Blood Done Sign My Name

One of the most moving experiences of this trip thus far has been the play Blood Done Sign My Name. It was incredible seeing how well the actor interacted with the audience. At one point, he had us all join hands and sing, "We Shall Overcome," and it was at that moment that I realized the power of Freedom Ride. This pilgrimage has definitely put several issues involving race into perspective for me. The conversation we had afterward with Tim Tyson strengthened my understanding of current racial issues, and I truly feel like we are making a difference here.

Rebecca G.