Sixteeen ISDenver middle school students embarked on an unforgettable trip to the epicenter of the American Civil Rights Movement last week. Led by the Director of Counseling and Director of Inclusivity and Belonging, Annie Barocas, and ISDenver Faculty and Coach, Aaron Siegel, the group spent four days exploring the history of Civil Rights in Alabama within a present-day context. Ann Clemons, a resident of Montgomery and Civil Rights expert, was the group’s local guide for the third year in a row. 

We kept hearing people in these cities say to Annie and I, "It's great you're bringing these kids down here to see these. It's important." I think that was a testament to why it matters. Our students got to meet people that knew Martin Luther King Jr., that heard him speak, that attended Rosa Park's funeral, that worked at Fred Shuttlesworth's church, etc. It's one thing to learn about history in a book, but seeing it in person takes that learning and compassion to new levels. We hope our students bring back what they've learned, share it, embrace it, reflect upon it, and eventually use it as a superpower in the fight for what's right vs what's wrong. And, if you ask the students, you'll find thousands of more reasons why that trip was important to them.

-Aaron Siegel

The trip is a part of Road to Alabama, an X-Block elective offering. The class curriculum focuses on the timeline from slavery to imprisonment, looking at how racism and segregation, not only in Alabama but all over America, have impacted the black community in this country. 

My hope is that our students understand that the Civil Rights Movement was an imperative time in American history, and while much was accomplished, there is still so much more needing to be done. Our students heard over and over again about the power of one person, one vote, and one idea, and I think this group has the power to make “good trouble”.

- Annie Barocas