Stepping Out Of Their Comfort Zone; Encountering a Paradigm Shift

Stepping out of our comfort zone can be extremely difficult especially when discussing issues surrounding race, particularly slavery, diversity and inclusion. Tackling this subject as adults is overwhelming, so imagine how difficult it would be for immature minds. However, the staff and students at Kentucky State University/ Community Inspired Solutions Uconnect staff did an outstanding job of creating a safe space where students and adults could speak freely and feel respected while learning about diversity and inclusion. Speakers were invited to the program to talk about diversity and inclusion through arts, crafts and presentions. Students also took educational field trips where they visited several historical sites and museums.

The students of the KSU/CIS UConnect program participated in several activities and tours that taught about diversity and inclusion. On November 17, 2018, participants visited the National Underground Railroad Freedom Museum and toured Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati Areas. Students also learned about Native Americans. Students were asked to research a Native American Tribe and present five details about the tribe to their group. Student engagement continued when students made Dream Catchers and learned about their meaning on Native American Day (Sept28). 

CIS Students learn about Native American Culture from Mentor Misty Sullivan

Students also listened to a presentation entitled, “Take Back Cheapside,” by Russell Allen. Mr. Allen was instrumental in spearheading the removal of confederate statutes from the Historic Cheapside Auction Block, which is located in Downtown Lexington. Students learned the cultural significance of removing the civil war statures from downtown Lexington. Students wanted a way to capture their thoughts and document their experiences. As a result, volunteer Nancy Barnett taught them how to journal and award winning photographer Patrick Mitchell taught them to capture their experiences through photography. Hence the CIS Photography club sponsored by Kentucky State University was started. Students met each Thursday and Saturday for 6 weeks to learn the basics of using a Canon DSLR Camera. Students learned about lighting, composites and ventured out into the community to practice their skills.

Students participated in activities specifically geared towards providing an introduction into a variety of cultures. One such culture is the Gullah Geechee Community in St. Helene, South Carolina. In April 2019, approximate 25 students (5 Males and 20 Females) (1 Hispanic, 1 Other and 13 Blacks) and 8 adult mentors (1 Hispanic, 1 Other-Turkish, 7 Black Females and  1 Black Male) attended a cultural awareness tour to Charleston, South Carolina. Students put their newly learned photography skills into action by capturing photos during their trip to South Carolina. While there students visited, the Penn Center, which is currently an African American Cultural and Educational Center. 

KSU CIS UConnect at Penn Center

KSU CIS UConnect Student learns about Family and Consumer Sciences at the Penn Center

KSU CIS UConnect Students learn about the Gullah Geeche Community at the Penn Center

The Penn Center, founded in 1862 as Penn School, a central component of the Port Royal Experiment, was one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved West Africans; this academic school reorganized in 1901 as the Penn Normal, Agricultural and Industrial School and existed for eighty-six years (Penn Center, 2019).  After the school was removed from the Beaufort County School District it became Penn Community Services, taking on the mantle of social justice and ushering in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conferences.

Students also visited Brookgreen Gardens where they viewed sculptured art and beautifully manicured gardens. Students also visited the Oaks Plantation where they learned the history of the prominent Alston family during the colonial and antebellum eras. Students were also able to visit the Alston family cemetery and grounds of the slave village. They were able to walk the Low Country boardwalk that crosses the hillside overlooking Mainfield, a restored rice field of the former Brookgreen Plantation. For enslaved Africans on Brookgreen Plantation, this hill was a bridge between the world of daily work and the familiarity of life in the slave village beyond the crest of the hill (Brookgreen, 2017).

Photo of Overseer Sculpture captured by Jaiden Atkins taken at Brookgreen Sculpture Park and Plantation.    

    Photo of rice plantation captured at Brookgreen Plantation

KSU CIS UConnect Students playing a game of Boom Chicca Boom at the Brookgreen Plantation.

KSU CIS UConnect Students visits Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Photo of KSU/CIS Students at Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Finally, students visited the Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. There they learned about Black History in America. Students were giving narrated tours of the Big House and its surrounding slave cabins. Each cabin provided detailed information on enslaved individuals. There were seven cabins in all. Students enjoyed learning new information about how slaves mainly from Benin West Africa lived during the 1800;s. As depicted in Cabin #2 slaves often carried on their tradition from their motherland into their new way of life. One such tradition is basket weaving. In Cabin #2 students watched carefully as the narrator intricately woven a basket made of South Carolina Sweetgrass.  A photograph of a sweet grass basket is captured below.

 

A Carolina Sweet grass Basket Captured by a KSU CIS UConnect Student

Cabins 3 and 4 provided additional information on family life and included archahaeological discoveries that were found at the site. Here are a few pictures of the discoveries captured by yet another KSU CIS UConnect Student.

 Students learned about how enslaved people lived and worked in cabins 5-8. There they learned about trades like blacksmiths, carpenters, doctors and even leaders in the community who helped slaves to gain their emancipation & freedom in the remaining cabins. Finally in students were cheerfully greeted by a direct descendent of the Gullah Geechee Community in Cabin 9. Students further learned about the Gullah Geeche Experience, though language, song and a reenactment performed a member of the Gullah Community. Students joined in by singing old Negro spirituals. One of our students was invited onstage to lead Amazing Grace as photographed here.

The partnership between Kentucky State University and Community Inspired Solutions has yielded many rewards. Students were introduced into a variety of subjects that helped to teach new skills and expand their mindset by becoming culturally aware. Students indicated that, “I like being in the program because: It gives me fun, educational activities and an opportunity to make likeminded friends. “I’ve learned to be respectful, nobility, courage, being a positive role model for younger kids, leadership skills all based on the 12 virtues.” Another student reported that, “I will be respectful at all times, maintain good grades, and be a positive role model because of what I learned at CIS.”

Kentucky State University Area Agent III, Carla Jordan developed and disbursed a post survey upon return for the parents and participants of the KSU CIS UConnect Program. Most agreed that this was an experience of a lifetime, as many participants had never travelled outside of Kentucky. Most participants also agreed that they “learned a lot” and “have gained a new appreciation for culture and history as a result of this trip”. She will also “study more about slavery” and “will be more sensitive to her sisters.” Other students were fascinated by the Gullah Culture itself. So much so, that they immediately began learning the language by located an online Gullah Dictionary. This student, Jaiden has “began incorporating the language in his vocabulary.” The trip to South Carolina was a success and has created impact that will last many years to come as one student reports that, she “learned a lot on the trip”, particularly that  she “would stop being scared of who she is” and “would not take my African heritage for granted.’’ The student reports that previously she was ashamed because she thought others would make fun of her and her family, as they are first generation Africans. While that student learned to love herself another student indicated that he learned, “not to hate other heritages.” All of which creates significant positive impact in creating a diverse world where love thrives.

Resources:

Boone Hall Plantation. 2019. BooneHall Plantation and Gardens. Retrieved from https://www.boonehallplantation.com/

BROOKGREEN GARDENS. 2017 Brookgreen Gardens Low Country History. Retrieved from https://www.brookgreen.org/lowcountry-trail

The Penn Center, 2019. Penn Center, 2019. Welcome The Reconstruction Era National Monument. Retrieved from http://www.penncenter.com/welcome