Spring Break \’08: Arkansas

I have received great news from Benny that at least 2 of the students we worked with at Stephens High School have been admitted to and are planning to attend college.  Its so incredible and inspiring to think that in a few short days this type of difference could be made.  Imagine what would happen if we, as a society, made long-term investments in our youth.  It might just change the world!  I challenge each of you to think about how you might do that and if we work together, maybe we’ll see social justice prevail.

Happy spring

Professor Hattery

Greetings!

Not surprising my week hasn’t gotten any less hectic!
No surprises there.

But, I do want to post a couple of thoughts.

First of all, its hard to believe that a week ago we were headed to Little Rock, which was totally fun, and when I reflect back on the week we spend in southern Arkansas I am truly amazed at what was accomplished. You all touched people’s lives. I know that the real issue is sustainability and we need to have some lengthy discussion of how to sustain the support we gave to the folks at Stephens now that we are back home. I am pleased to report that Trayonna shared with me that she had received more than 20 emails from Stephens HS kids with follow-up questions. If that’s any indication of what we accomplished and what we need to continue to accomplish we have done a lot but have a lot in front of us.
All that said, since I can’t figure out how to post pictures to the blog, I’m posting the link to my photos on snapfish. You’ll find Mr. Cohen, pictures of yourselves at work, and of course more horse pictures. Enjoy.
Also, please check out the comments, my mom, shall we say well into her 60’s, posted a comment! Go Diane!
AH

Photo album

I will write a much longer post soon, but as soon as we got back to NC I got hit with a MAJOR DEADLINE.

So, in the meantime:  let me echo Dr. Smith’s announcement about Benny!  Congratulations, Benny!  We couldn’t be more proud.

Let me add that while we were in Arkansas Trayonna received a call from the Children’s Defense Fund that she has been accepted to participate in their Youth Advocate Leadership Training (YALT) weekend in April.  The goals of the YALT weekend are to develop young leaders to take the mantle in the fight for social justice.

When I think of these honors and when I think of the work YOU ALL did in Stephens, I have hope that my children will grow into adulthood in a world that is more equal than the one they were born in to.  I have all of you to thank for my optimism.

Welcome back to spring semester.  I know you’ll never forget the experiences of our spring break.

More to come…

AH

We finally arrived in Little Rock about 12:30.  It had been a REALLY long travel day and we still had 2 ½ hours to travel by car.  Ok, not quite as long as the students, but with the 3 hour delay in the Greensboro airport we definitely should have been in Europe or Fiji or somewhere more exotic for all the time we’d been traveling.

At any rate, one of the things we wanted to do in Little Rock was see Central High School, the site of one of the most contentious attempts at school integration.  (Note, I had a friend in college who had attended Central High School…I remember her well and was amazed at her experience.)

Being at Central High School was one of those moving experiences….you could feel the ghosts of Ernest Green and the others.

Then we hit the road and drove 2 ½ hours south through the most rural part of Arkansas you can imagine.  Frankly, we were pretty stunned by the isolation and rural poverty.  And, we’ve seen a lot traveling so extensively in Mississippi.

Finally we arrived in Stephens, where our students will be volunteering and went to the home of our host:  Professor Linda Tucker.  Linda and her husband Russ are avid animal lovers….they have a total of 7 dogs, 8 cats, and 4 horses.

If you woud like to see a picture of Professor Smith’s very first time on a horse (believe me you do!) click below
We’re off to Southern Arkansas University to visit a class and give a lecture on wealth and poverty in African American Civil Society.  Enjoy the photos..and oh, you can see me on the horse, too.  Her name is Tiffany 2 spots.

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=208456582/a=80798728/t_=80798728

Well, the Arkansas trip has suffered some delays. First, the students decided, wisely, to delay departure by one day due to the winter weather throughout all of Alabama and parts of Mississippi. Prof. Smith and I were set to depart this morning at 6:15 (AM) and expected to be in Little Rock by 9 so we could make the final trek to Magnolia/Stephens. Well, its 7 AM now and we have been re-routed through Cincinnati (instead of Atlanta) and expect to arrive in LR by 2:30 this afternoon…..at least there is wireless at the Greensboro airport!! The fun part, if there can be such a thing, is watching a bunch of stranded Wake Forest students on their way south for spring break.

Well, students, you may well beat us to Arkansas…but either way I hope we all get their safely and I’m looking forward to our week together.

Prof. Hattery

ps…check out the comments…my dad the “other” Dr. Hattery is blogging!!! Go BOB!

SPRING BREAK HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!

Midterm exams have been graded.

My chapter revisions have been completed.

Speeches have been written and powerpoints prepared.

Its finally time to pack our bags and board the plane–oh that’s right y’all are driving for Stephens, Arkansas.

How nice that y’all are in charge this time….I’m really looking forward to this week.

Its snowing in Arkansas this morning…but it should be warm and sunny by the time we all get there Sunday afternoon.

Drive safely and we’ll see you in Arkansas!!!

Prof. Hattery