Welcome to Sojourn to the Past

The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, CA is currently featuring Courage: The Vision to End Segregation, The Guts to Fight For It. This exhibit focuses on the movement of Latino families in Southern California to fight segregation in public schools. These families’ struggles ultimately led to the historical Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education. Courage commemorates those ordinary people who took a stand for justice; from their stories we can all be inspired to continue the fight for social justice and freedom.

Show your support to the Museum of Tolerance by attending this insightful exhibition if you have the chance. The museum regularly features interactive exhibits to engage visitors and create an impact that not only informs but challenges visitors to think critically about the present and potential positive change they can contribute to the community.

The exhibit opened February 8^th of this year and will continue until August 23^rd. Visit MOT’s official website to learn more about visiting: http://www.museumoftolerance.com/site/c.tmL6KfNVLtH/b.4865973/k.96C/Special_Exhibitions.htm

You may also visit their Action Lab online to engage in discussions and get ideas for projects so you can begin to promote peace and social justice: http://www.museumoftolerance.com/site/c.tmL6KfNVLtH/b.4866065/k.10CE/Action_Lab.htm

Remember, Congressman John Lewis says, “Let the spirit of history be your guide.”

Click here to Make Your Pledge

While Sojourn to the Past spreads the message that language is power and hateful language is a form of violence, the use of the n-word is on the rise in high schools across the United States. A recent Clarion Ledger article by Sojourn Speaker Jerry Mitchell discussed the results of a survey of Jackson, Mississippi high school students that reveals the n-word is frequently and casually thrown around in everyday language. Students who admitted to using the n-word rationalize their use of the term with excuses alleging that racism is no longer an issue and that it’s meant affectionately.

Do you think this word can be detached from its historical implications? The n-word has been and still is used as a hateful way to diminish African-Americans.  Through language, a group is made out to be inferior and so begins the process of dehumanization that may lead to violence.  Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine – the first nine black students to desegregate high schools in the country, argues that this ignorance and use of the word is actually racial self hatred. Those who include it in their vocabulary are further hurting themselves and their communities by refusing to take a stand to eliminate such a hateful term.

Consider the language you and the people around you use. If there are any discriminatory terms in your vernacular, think of the various other words that can be used to replace them.  For example, if you use the n-word when you mean to indicate friendship, consider using words like friend, brother, sister or buddy.

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and take the pledge promising that you will not use the n-word or other hateful language ever again.  Join others who have pledged like Jerry Mitchell and Myrlie Evers-Williams, NAACP Chair Emeritus and widow of late NAACP field worker Medgar Evers, in ending violent language and spreading the word on to others. Pledge today to spread peace and nonviolence!