SUMMER 2021 17 Josiephine Allen, Junior Visiting Drayton Hall impacted me the most on the trip. Upon walking on its front steps I was mesmerized with its Palladian architecture, live oak trees, Spanish moss, and a beautiful view of the Ashley River. I viewed the plantation as a tourist attraction and felt guilty right after. I had to divert my focus to the fact that this place wasn’t beautiful to the enslaved people who lived there years ago. They endured such hardship in that very place. They were denied freedom, mistreated, and even stripped of their identity. It was emotional to walk through Drayton Hall. I am thankful to DBU for letting me be a part of this new travel opportunity. Though there was a lot to unpack, I discovered so much not only about myself, but also about many others. I am an African-American woman who will always remember the lives of those enslaved, brutally taken, and those who bravely fought for equal rights. This trip has encouraged me to celebrate those that have worked hard for civil rights and continue learning about others who left their footprints. Edgar Ramirez, Junior We had many tough conversations as a group throughout the whole experience. These conversations would have to be my favorite part of our time in South Carolina because of how impactful they have been in shaping a lot of my current views. We discussed topics such as the twisted psychology of slavery while at Drayton Hall and the harsh truths behind symbols while at the State House in Columbia. I couldn’t have imagined that I would grow as much as I did during the week in South Carolina. One of my favorite takeaways from the trip is that we should not run away from difficult conversations but instead be open to learning from them. We should educate ourselves about difficult and controversial subjects while also viewing history through a critical lens in order to grow as a society. I am beyond thankful for the wisdom that was shared from our trip leaders, and I plan to incorporate these truths into my everyday life. I am glad to say that I returned to Texas as a more educated and appreciative person than I was before I left. An outside image of Drayton Hall outside of Charleston, and below is an interior image of the slave quarters located in the basement. Dr. Jordan Davis, DBU Director of Counseling and Spiritual Care, leads a discussion with students about some of the difficult and painful aspects of history.
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