Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Andrew Albrecht Fourth Post
I would say the most perspective-changing aspect for the participants would be the fact that a good majority of them came from upper or middle class priviliged backgrounds and were submerged into the lawless Mississippi - so they were in an environment unlike any other they had ever been in before. They really did not understand what kind of danger they were putting themselves in by going down to the deap south and attempting to further the causes of the Civil Rights Movement. Another changed perspective would be when they all were down there and seeing the way African-Americans were treated and trying to imagine what it would be like being in their shoes. I would say the entire experience would be lifechanging for anyone involved.
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Certainly, the danger and the challenges of just surviving to see another day were an enormous learning experience for the Freedom Summer volunteers. And yet, I think we might also notice that these same volunteers were also moved by the spirit that they saw in black Mississippians--the persistence in the face of difficult struggle, and the willingness to share even what little they had, to try to make the white volunteers as comfortable as possible. As hosts to the volunteers, they made sure that their visitors were fed, and housed, and worked to include them in their communities. They too recognized the value in these sacrifices being shared.
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