I landed in Little Rock at 3:30 and met up with our group leader, Damon. Damon works with City Year in Boston and pretty much adores his job (City Year, AmeriCorps, City Year, AmeriCorps). We were originally told State Radio would be meeting us in Tulsa, but they drove to LR so they could welcome us when we arrived, a very pleasant surprise. Everyone has been so nice and everyone is so excited that we applied and got accepted to do this.
Tuesday was wonderful (as if I expected less), we went to meet the City Year Little Rock “Young Heroes Team”. Every Saturday middle students come from local schools in Little Rock and learn about social justice issues. The volunteers ranged from 18-22 and all were completely passionate about the work they are doing with the students in Arkansas. Next, we walked to Clinton Presidential National Library which had two featured exhibits; Madeleine Albright Pin Collection and the Oklahoma City Bombing Exhibit. The Library was awesome, it went through all the years he was in office; you could look up what he was doing on any date, time, year, during his presidency. The pin exhibit was fascinating because it explained what particular situation she wore a pin for; for example, there was a shattered glass pin which she wore for a women’s rights convention and it represented the shattering the glass ceiling. The Oklahoma City Bombing exhibit was heart breaking; Timothy McVeigh had so much hatred in his life…it’s hard for me to imagine! But it was amazing to see all the people who came to support the city and the people who lost loved ones. It reiterated to me that America really is an amazing and fortunate place.
After the library we traveled to Cain’s in Tulsa, a small venue where State was playing. I tried to blog then but the internet didn’t want to work. Cain’s was OK. It was the most mellow State Radio show I have ever been in attendance for. Chad did call out to us on stage, that in and of itself made the show fantastic. After the show Brittany (a fellow Alternative Break-er) and I rounded up all the glass bottles and helped Cain’s with their recycling, the bartender greatly appreciated this ...every little bit helps.
Chad and Sybil have been hanging out with us quite a bit which is amazing as Sybil is one of my heroes (she is such a strong, powerful, philanthropic women…how can I NOT look up to her). Mike “Mad Dog/Night Terrors” came and jammed on guitar with the boys on the bus last night which was awesome, he played “Rocking in the Free World”. Chad and Mike are so encouraging to the musicians in our group, especially Dave (another break-er)…who I believe to be amazing. We all feel like we are part of something bigger, it’s a great feeling.
The people on this trip, 3 other girls and 4 boys are…. AMAZING. They give me so much hope because they are all so socially aware and so passionate about specific areas. It so great to see….hopeful is the best word to describe how I feel.
LOVES,
Ash
That sounds amazing!
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