As a memeber of the staff I have a change to really get to see the different ways in which the camps work. Each camp (just like each delegate) is different and requires different needs. To date each camp has reached a level of success that has been set by the staff and the students.

One particular student in Paducah I took personal interest in because she reminded me of someone I was close to in grade school. “Sara” is a good, intelligent, beautiful, kind person but because of her home life and actions (past and present) that were out of her control she is “lost” (I use the term “lost” in a secular sense, not in terms of her soul but in her life goals). Like most people she has learned to accept her current situation and has internalized it to the point that it has become her goal to continue the same type of life style that she is currently living. She feels that her current life style is the best that she can or would want to lead. Sara will be 16 in a few months, has back problems, currently planning to NOT finish high school and to live her life in public housing on disability.

When I first talked to her about maybe doing something different with her life, her response was “Why?”. I attempted to explain but she sees no reason not to live the life of her mother; one of poverty, alcohol, and substance abuse.

Coming from a position of privilege (which we all are) we are able to recognize the destructive patterns of some of our students, but in that recognition how do we break that pattern? Especially when it starts and is reinforced in their home? It’s unbelievable how close you can become to these students in 2 or 3 short weeks. The emotional investment in these students can be draining and at times you can’t help question the effect that you have made. Looking back I realize that Sara and her friends are the reason that I wanted to do this project. I really wanted to make a positive change on the lives of these students. I had no idea the effect that they would have on mine. Each one of the students in the past 2 camps is now a part of me. Sara, however, took a piece of my heart and it saddens me to think of the path that she has chosen.

To Sara (if you ever read this):

It was once said that our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. You are beautiful, intelligent, and kind. Because of this you can make a better life for yourself IF you tried, but you have to try. You may never know the impact that you have had on my life or on the other staff members. Please know that we are willing to do whatever it takes to see you succeed, all you have to do is ask. And WHEN (not if) you graduate I will be the first one there cheering you on.

Remember that your friends, your true friends, are the ones that what you to do the right thing and want to see you do better. Please stop trying to shut them out. You and your friends made the Paducah camp special for me, Thank you. You will always have a place in my heart.

Mikal

As we work these camps we have to remember that we are trying to make a positive change in the lives of these students. So as we fight through attitudes, outburst, disagreements, and any other obstacles that may arise we must not lose sight of that fact nor become discouraged. My grandmother always tells me “doing good ain’t always easy”.

And that friend that Sara reminds me of……….I saw her last year, drying cars at a car wash.

Umbuntu

Our three weeks of camp have been so great.We have discovred new things about Civil Rights and Human Rights.

We  leaarned about how people should have rights such as

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of religon
•  Everybody should be  to have the right to education
• To be safe where ever you go
• Everybody should have food & shelter
• The right to have universal  healthcare
• A right to belive in there on culture an religon
• Everybody should have respect for there on diffence

These are some of the things that we had came when we had did our Decloration for kentucky Remembers. Our Decloration is someting that we think people should have.

This painting is about all the places we have been. For example, the Trolly, the historic Metropolitan Hotel, and Nobel Park. Through these sites we learned about history.

Back then there was a lot of segregation between cultures. We were inspired by the history of Paducah and our interviews. Our mural symbolizes all the wonderful cultures coming together as one.

Also, everyone in the KY Remembers camp put their ideas together to come up with a pledge and preamble.
This post was written by Marte, Latia, Shauntara, Christian and Aimee

Kentucky Remembers Camp is a camp that  helps with human and civil rights and discrimination in kentucky. We starterd of by learning how to do leadership and be a team. Then as the first week rolled in we worked on discrimination and thinking of ideas for our banner and song. Then during the second week we took tours to important places in paducah on a trolly. Then we interviewed people like in the two photos. we are now in the third week and we are finishing off on our banner, planning for the community celebration, and working on photos and blogs.

Hey,we are the P-N-M Survivors meaning we are from Paducah and Murray,Kentucky…and we are here to survive  the discrimination of the community!!!During are project Kentucky Remembers we are to build up not bring down other delegates as well as the surrounding community. Well peace out and remember to always build people up not bring them down…Ur Girls Down In P-Town,Rachel and Christian

As of today the staff has put all the delegates in charge. The delegates are basically working on their committees such as the video, blog, dance, etc, there is also a mural that is being painted for the community celebration. the community celebration will be held on Saturday the 16, of June. There will also be a block party at the George Washington Carver center.

We miss the other staff members that went onto the next city, Paducah, for the exact same camp. Today we went on a field trip to Alice Gatewood’s studio/home.We also went to the Kentucky muesem, and to the Capitol Arts Gallery. We came backto Phenix Place, and went to our commities…. Dance, Blog, Video, Photography, Celebration, and many more commities.

Today,

    As of the June 7, 2007 we discussed how to be non-violent. We talked about in our community and how it is formed when it comes to people fist-fighting, and how to control yourself and your anger. Mr. Abraham Williams also came to talk about his struggles that he has overcome to become the man that he is right now. Currently Mr. Williams is the Executive Director of the Bowling Green Housing Authority. He helps kids to stay out of trouble and teaches them to stay in school. There was a group of delegates (kids of KY Remembers Program) that went to the recording studio to record the Kentucky Remembers Theme Song. We have a specific delegate that was chosen to write the Declaration of Human Rights. There were other guests that attended the program today and their names were Stephanie Foxx and Connie Donaly. The workers of the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission will be coming to the KY Remembers program which are known Linda McCray (Executive Director) and Chiquita Sparks(Administrative Coordinator).

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!