Oxford, Mississippi (Ole Miss)

After arriving at Ole Miss we spoke with Patrick from the Winter Institute of Racial Reconciliation.
One of the first questions thrown at him:
How are race relations on campus?
Answer:
I think there's a mix of apathy and historical amnesia.

Made me think of our panel discussion. Maybe we aren't becoming less racist and are becoming more politically correct.

The Winter institution was founded in 1999 and originally focused it's work in communities. In each community they ask for a bi-racial support group and open ears. The reconciliation is modeled after the The Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up in South Africa by Desmund Tutu after apartheid.

The TRC was a court-like body assembled after the abolition of apartheid. Victims of human rights violations were invited to give statements about their experiences, and some were selected for public hearings. Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from both civil and criminal prosecution.

So the Winter Institute uses this model. Example: the Philadelphia Coalition, formed in 2004. For years, outsiders told Philadelphia's story -- 3 civil rights workers murdered with the help of police. But the actual residents of the city of Philadelphia, MS had never come together and called for justice.

I love that the Winter Institute is using the South African Truth Commission as an example for how to start the healing process.
That's exactly what this trip is about - SPEAKING up, to each other, and out about years of oppression and hate in order to move towards real reconciliation and love.

3 main Winter Institute projects:
One Mississippi, Senate bill 2718, and the Welcome Table series of retreats.

This was my second time to hear from Don Cole, and this time he was just as inspiring.
I might write more on what he said in another post, but this stuck with me.

Nick asked what Dr. Cole's motivation was ... and I was wondering the same thing at the time.
What kept him going to a university where almost everyone hates you when it would be so easy to just ... not?

His answer:
1. Because we were RIGHT. And that's something you can stand on no matter what.
2. I had never really failed at anything
3. The whole community was supporting you

Number 1 - I love. When you're right about something like justice,freedom, or human rights, your mind, body, and soul wants to scream it. Right is right is right. You don't loose sleep because you've spoken up too much for those rights.
I usually sleep best those nights. It's good for the soul. And it's great to hear another human being explain that feeling.

Amanda