Chrissy Purcell-Post 10

Chrissy Purcell

Freshman Seminar

Post 10

African Burial Ground

“New York, New York, It’s a helluva town!” Wow! My first trip to New York. I had a blast. I had no clue that there was so much history in New York. Also, who knew that was so much African history in New York. It was absolutely fascinating to realize that some of the first “African Americans” actually died before they even reached land and there were so many of them too. I could never even begin to imagine how much trauma those people suffered mentally and physically just from the journey. And to think, the ones who survive actually only had harder times ahead of them. This trip made me realize that there are people who have paid for my freedom with their lives and souls. I am gracious and thankful. This whole experience was overall thought provoking and a bit self actualizing. It caused me to realize that if they had not paid their price, we would not as a race of African american people be where we are today. I mean, honestly, the president is black in a country where blacks were once second-class citizens at all times. However enlightening that fact may be, it is sobering to realize that in some respects there is segregation in other less obvious ways that we still must fight. even amongst ourselves, their is quite a bit of hate. All in all, this trip made me recognize how far we have come as a race but at the same time see how far we still have left to go. It makes me question if things ever really will be equal...