The Warrior Within: a trip to the International slavery Mueseum

Going to the International Slaver Museum was an Eye opening experience. There was so much history in those rooms that there were many times when I had to sit and think everything that was in the museum and how it all has led to me being where I was. I have nothing but gratefulness after visiting, In this assignment I will be reflecting on the trip in a story. for the class. 

The Warrior Within

As I walked through the museum I couldn't hep but think what story would be told of, if it were the future and the it was stumbled upon this exhibit. It came to me that they would see the different objects that caught my eye and think to themselves that the people that were enslaved were a strong people. From the women to the men to the children the first thing they will see is their culture. The art work that was created in the time before they were treated like cattle. These Strangers will look at their craftsmanship and know that these were very skilled people. The doors were carved from trees and stone each of the designs that was a representation of the status of the family. The more intricate the better the status of the family. The culture is deeply rooted within in the ground that surrounded them and just like the door is deeply carved in the wood, the culture of the people is carved deep within them. Their true nature was not to be captive people, not to be treated as cargo, property, or animals. They were warriors, princes, mothers, daughters, queens and kings and this does not change even if you are put into captivity.  

The warrior spirit was so strong that there had to be a way in order to break that soul. We talked about how when enslaving a people it is common practice to hold power over them in every way possible and in order to break the warrior spirit they had to show that they held power over the African slaves. One way that they did that was through the art work. On the vase below there is a picture of a slave that is serving the master. Having pictures, scriptures and a society built upon white supremacy is one of the ways the masters kept the slaves in the slave mentality. This repetition of how the master is better than the slave is how they broke the warrior spirit within the slaves and they were able to have control over them. Of course there were other ways they broke the spirits of the slaves like beating them into submission and embarrassment in front of other slaves.  

Even within captivity their warrior spirit was not completely broken  or gone. They learned to preserve it and to keep it within themselves. Through the hard times they drew from the strength of the warrior to help them fight on when it seemed like they could not fight anymore. This replenished their being giving them hope and a fighting spirit that they used to get their freedom later in history. The guest will come across the video section and they will hear the stories of the slaves trying to escape. This will be a testament of their strength at the end of the video they will hear the lady say "We were Africa in the beginning, we will be Africa in the end."  This phrase means that no matter what they go through they will always be true to who they are. This is a key phrase to the whole exhibit, this shows the warrior spirit to the fullest. They will fight to preserve their identity.
  This is even seen in modern times through the people that are not inhabitants of America. They hold close to the traditions and the the history of their people to show honor to the ancestors that have come before. They keep the warrior spirit going and living within themselves and the history of their lives. This is key for moving forward, staying true to the culture that many have tried to strip away and change.
This is the story that any visitor will gain from visiting the museum a story of survival, strength, and courage. They will truly find the Warrior within.

Extroverts worst nightmare

   There are many differences between American and European culture, but the one I want to focus on is the difference in social life. This country is truly an introverts dream land. If you're the type of person who hates it when people talk to you on the street or a person who doesn't like talking to people on the train, then London is the place for you. Even when clubing people are not very loud or chaotic.
   Last night I got the opportunity to go to a Beyoncé party and while there I walked in to a club of people sitting around, including Kevin, just having simple conversation. To this I was very shocked, at American parties people come on ready to sweat and everything else (no drinks required). Here people were sitting and talking as if they were at a dinner for two.  After a drink they would stand where they are sitting and dance, then have a nother drink walk away from the table just a little bit and dance, then have one more drink and get on the floor and dance; the whole time I felt as if I were watching people testing the water they were trying to swim in.
   I also thought it was weird that the DJ was not playing any Beyoncé songs. Come to find out around 10:30pm that the Beyoncé party was actually downstairs.......after hearing this announcement everyone grabbed all their belongings and ran as quickly as (and as safely) possibly downstairs. As we stepped through the doors we were greated with a love mix of Regge and oldschool Beyoncé. As more and more people showed up the party got more and more lively, the people were dancing but only with each other. This I was not use to in America when ever you are in a crowded club people are dancing with their friends but also grinding and dancing with others around them. This is not the case in London. Even when the club is packed people are very careful with who they are dancing with. I speak from experience here, there was this very lively couple Kevin and I were dancing with and they were very interactive, but they were also very separate and in their on little bubble while interacting with us.

As out night came to an end and we began to leave the club the staff there were very polite and kind they all asked us if we were leaving, then they would tell us to get home safely. Both Kevin and I were amazed at the hospitality of the club security as we were there and left. The night was an overall good night and I am glad I got the opportunity to go, if I could do it again then I definitely would. As we headed back home all I could think to myself was..

Come on London!!

Customs

     Once off the plane I was kind of nervous even though I was following the signs, I felt as I was going to get lost. As I followed the huge crowd of people I was lead to the UK Border, which was a bit intimidating. Never the less I got in the extremely long line (Like EXTREMELY Long) and after a good hour I was at the desk ready to quickly and respectfully answer the questions and hand them the  probably incorrectly filled out boarding card. When the person at the desk began to ask me the questions I recalled the answers from the letter they gave us at Millikin and I was able to answer and go on with my day!!!
      That was probably the most nerve wrecking experience that I had while I was traveling beside the emergency in the plane. getting my bad was pretty stress free, I did think that they lost it cause the screen said the bags from my flight were on conveyer belt 9, then turns out they were really on 6. So that was a bit scary. Other than that they check in was pretty simple and quick.
     Once I had my bag I exchanged some of my dollars for pounds and then I met up with Dawn and Kevin (Best friends) which was funny because I was the only person really excited and people were staring at us. I have noticed while here that British people are VERY introverted, so this is an extroverts worse nightmare. It's been okay though I have just learned to be more chill around the city, but the one place where there is no chill is CARNIVAL!!

Come on London!!!

London....I am here!!!

I am here and loving it. The flight over was very Chaotic! After a flight change, because the first flight was delayed and I would have missed my connecting flight, and a fight almost breaking out in the bag check line, I was fine. The second flight was the interesting one. Once on board (after I had spoken to family and everything) I was comfortably in my seat, when a man can and sat next to me and was very talkative, which I didn't mind until he asked me if I would mind switching with his girlfriend, they got separated because the flight was booked.To this I was silent for a bit.....staring at him thinking to myself that I went through a whole flight change to be here and the lady at the check in desk gave me great seats with extra leg room. After 30 seconds of reflection I thought to myself I wouldn't mind letting her sit where I was as long as it was another window seat, he then proceeded to tell me that it was another window seat. I then said if we could clear it with the flight attendant then it was fine with me, really hoping that they would say no you can not, but of course they said it would be fine if both parties agreed. So long story short I ended up sitting next to the lovely Indian Couple. After take off everything was great I think I can't remember since I was unconscious for 2/3rds of the flight, but I know you are probably wondering about the Chaotic part. After the third nap and the second missed snack I woke up to a panic on board, there was an emergency! I woke up to flight attendants and people crowded in the corner asking if anyone was a doctor. To this I just turned my head and went back to sleeping hopping once I woke up again I would find it was all a dream. Unfortunately it wasn't and after I woke up from my other nap I realized this. I saw flight attendants moving the woman to the bathroom and it seemed as if she was just extremely lightheaded.

   The decend was fine and I got some cool pictures of the land. The seat change I did earlier turned out to be a great choice. Once on the ground we were told the paramedics would come get the person that was ill,but after 10 min of waiting they said everyone else was free to go.
The trip was a successful one and I am glad I made it safely next thing Ill talk about is customs and the ride to Dawn's house (or what I was conscious for lol) Ta Ta for now!
Come On London!!!