At the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, eighth graders took part in a re-creation of a 1960s sit-in. They sat at lunch counters, hands flat on the countertop, eyes closed as the stools shook and headphones played recorded threats. Later, many eighth graders highlighted the sit-in as an eye-opening experience. For a few minutes, they were able to experience history as it happened.
The Civil Rights trip is the culminating event of four years at Sophia Academy. In this four-day trip, eighth graders tour the Deep South and meet with activists to learn about this defining moment in U.S. history. This year, the eighth grade was accompanied by Mrs. Moniz, Ms. DePalo, and Ms. Ana Ceballos. Throughout their four days in Georgia and Alabama, eighth graders toured such Civil Rights touchstones as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s childhood home and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum. They crossed the Edmund Pettus bridge together. They learned about the ongoing struggle for human rights at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
When they returned, the eighth grade class made presentations to share what they learned. For many, the Civil Rights Trip was a look through a window into a lived reality: “My favorite part was getting the opportunity to talk to Mr. Charles,” said Kiara Remigio-Kingsley, referring to the guide who joined the Class of 2023. “I learned a lot more about history…the Internet tells you a lot, but you need someone with experience to explain what really happened.”Mrs. Moniz echoed Kiara’s observation: “Especially with history…it’s hard for students to understand its impact, and so the trip allows for students to walk and live it to some extent, so that they’re able to connect with it and really visualize the history we’re talking about.”
The Civil Rights Movement was a seminal moment that reverberated through the country. As years go by, fewer of the courageous activists of the time will be here to share their stories. It’s more important than ever for young people to experience this trip and learn firsthand what the movement was about, the sacrifices that were made, and the impact of the movement on their own lives.
