home february 26 february 27 february 28 february 29 march 1 march 2 march 3 march 4 march 5 reflections bios		march 5: bring me home, country road. ...thank you to all of you who have been following us via the web on our journey. we had a great time, and hope you did too... by jeb singer jlsinger@umich.edu "Where's the camera?" he asks just a split second before locating it. Misplacing this multi-thousand dollar piece of technology would probably not be the preferable manner to end this journey. But with the camera same and sound and in Michael's soft hands, I can stop worrying. Instead, I find this to be an appropriate juncture for me to think about how ideal of an ending yesterday's Faith & Politics event was for this trip. One of my main objectives for joining the get on the bus course was to do something unique and memorable. I would not hesitate to say that yesterday's finale alone qualifies as such. I cannot recall another moment in my young life in which I have been able to put aside all other thoughts and just sing about how great it is to be free. The fact that so many people of so many races and sexes (well only two I guess) were determined to join hands and praise their gifts and inspirations was quite uplifting. I hope above all that this trip is remembered for a couple of reasons. Namely, I would like to recall the excellent manner in which our randomly selected group worked and played together, and I would like to repeat the ideals that made this nation so great. This to me was the objective of the trip and I do believe I've experienced it first-hand. So as we prepare to roll into Ann Arbor in not more than fourty-five minutes, I intend to enjoy these last moments on the bus. To try to put into perspective everything that we've come into contact with during the last nine days would be trying to bottle up years of oppression, struggles and opposition to power. Hopefully, over time I will look back on this web site and the memories I've stored and be able to understand better the significance of what we've studied. I certainly think that the past nine days has created more curiosity. One of the most interesting experiences for me actually did not occur in any of the civil rights museums but rather at a southern party rally. During this rally I did not hear the speakers screaming for more Negro oppression or white supremacy as I thought I might have. I actually inquired to a member of the audience holding a confederate flag exactly what the group stood for. I understand that the central theme behind the rally was secession from the US and representation of the confederate flag. Of course, it is difficult for me to judge whether or not these peoples intentions are really so innocent or not. The point is that all throughout history people make assumptions. I'm sure that it is entirely impossible that various members of the southern party exercise racism. However, I am not at this point ready to refer to these peoples as "Klansmen" as I was inclined to do before the conversation. I do strongly disagree with some of his ideals and still find the confederate flag offensive. I did not get into an argument his this individual because he was on his own turf but also because I did not know enough about his group of people. Many racists never attempt to learn about the people they are oppressing. This is what is so troubling. As long as ignorance still ignorance, so will racism. Ignorance is not bliss. Rather education is the way toward equality. I am happy to have been educated. by alberto sanchez-aparicio albertos@umich.edu Well it is the last day, and we are driving towards Ann Arbor on interstate 75. I really cannot believe that we have been on the road for ten days, or that I will be in class tomorrow morning. Yet, thinking back on the trip, I know that I made the right decision when I decided to get on the bus. I really don't have a favorite part. Every single stop had something special to offer. In the King Center, the films that were shown were very inspirational, yet they still made an effort to show that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was also a man. In the National Civil Rights Museum the exhibits were so full of information that I wished I could have stayed the whole day. The Birmingham Civil Rights institute offered information on other civil rights movements, with an emphasis on African American movement of the 1960's. In Montgomery, at the Southern Poverty Law Center, we got to sing We Shall over come with civil rights leaders and congressmen. We also got to hear Mrs. Coretta Scott King. It was great ending to a wonderful class. Beyond the great learning experience, I really got close to my companions. While it was clear that we shared different political views, we still had a great deal of things to learn from each other. I learned a great deal, just by listening to other peoples' side of a topic like the protest of the SCC in the University of Michigan. I also got to see how the Jewish community works and what types of things blend this culture together. I even learned a little about Singapore. If I had one complaint is towards the driving. It seemed that we took it too seriously. First some people always wanted to drive, while other did not touch the wheel at all. So, if anything I wished that could be more defined. To anyone interested in learning more about the civil rights movement of the 1960's, I would encourage them to get on the bus. They will see that this issue is much more complex and interesting than any book or film could possibly cover. Even if you are not that into history, just the experience is worth the time and money.	no photos today! we're back safe in ann arbor!

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