Photograph by Pam Wilson
We would also take a civil rights tour of Nashville with two former Freedom Riders, a special group of civil rights activists.
When the first day arrived and we awoke bright and early to head over to Thistle Farms, I was anxious. I knew there was a harsh reality that I had never experienced lying behind the doors of Thistle Farms.
But when we pulled up to see a huge brick wall painted all the way up with bright yellow flowers and thistle plants promi-nently displayed, I knew this would be a place of comfort, not anxiety. Throughout the tour, we saw the facilities and even got to meet a few of the women that were staying there. The whole experience left me breathless and in awe of the things that go on in this world we live in.
On Day Two, we went on our civil rights tour. This will be just like sitting through a history lecture, I anticipated. However, it was so much more than that.
Witnessing people who actually went through the horrors of the Freedom Rides walk us through areas in which they actually protested was liberating and mind-boggling.
I left that segment of our trip with a head full of questions and a heart full of sadness for the past as well as promise for the future.
Day Three brought us a full day of helping. We started the day by planting trees at Monroe Harding. We were able to see the grounds and get to know more about the work they do with foster children while also serving them. After planting many, many trees (then stopping by the YMCA for many, many showers!), we then headed over to Workers’ Dignity.
Workers’ Dignity (Dignidad Obrera) was extremely informative about the war that immigrants are fighting against employers. As their website notes, Workers’ Dignity “is a worker-led center organizing for economic jus-tice and dignity for all! We are developing solutions to wage theft and
"It really opened my eyes to the problems of our world here in our own country."
Analicia Blanco exploring
Vanderbilt University
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Photograph by Abby Snelson