Spring Break
Column: Building sweet homes in Alabama
Mark Scialla
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
03/25/09 - We were sitting on the steps of the iconic 16th Street Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham, Ala., facing the evening sun and listening to the stories of struggles won and lost from former University of Rhode Island professor and personal friend of Martin Luther King Jr., Bernard Lafayette. This point in my trip is where I began to feel a part of something much bigger than myself.
I went to Alabama with my classmates from Community Service at URI to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. In class we learned about the working poor, poverty and various social justice issues. In Alabama, we worked and reflected on our experiences. I had no idea about how it would eventually affect my world perspective.
Lafayette spoke of his personal struggles, how and when he met and began to work with King, his organizing tactics and what qualities a successful service leader should possess. Of the many he discussed one quality meant more to me than the others.
The quality may seem corny, cliché and overly emotional but it is nonetheless the most imperative of all qualities: Love.
"And lastly," Lafayette said looking away from the sun's dying rays, either from discomfort of the light or embarrassment from what he was about to say, "it may seem a little weird but if you know me, then it won't. It's love. You've got to love the people."
He meant, love the ones you work with and also love the ones you work against.
That was the last gem Lafayette dropped on us before we left for dinner. On the ride to the restaurant I began to reflect on what he had said to us. "Love," I thought to myself. "Am I here in Alabama for love?"
The answer was no.
I was in Alabama because I was interested in learning about service leadership, traveling and getting another honors course out of the way. What I found in Alabama and what I took home with me was pure love.
Prior to leaving for Alabama, I was having second thoughts. I felt unsure of myself and of how well I would get along with my classmates. I even brought homework to do because I seriously thought I was going to want time alone to read. I was very wrong. As soon as I passed airport security I longed to be back in my bed, waiting for dawn so I could start the day with the people I already knew. I had no idea this experience would affect me so profoundly. It forced me from my comfort zone and into strange areas with unfamiliar faces.
I went to Alabama with my classmates from Community Service at URI to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. In class we learned about the working poor, poverty and various social justice issues. In Alabama, we worked and reflected on our experiences. I had no idea about how it would eventually affect my world perspective.
Lafayette spoke of his personal struggles, how and when he met and began to work with King, his organizing tactics and what qualities a successful service leader should possess. Of the many he discussed one quality meant more to me than the others.
The quality may seem corny, cliché and overly emotional but it is nonetheless the most imperative of all qualities: Love.
"And lastly," Lafayette said looking away from the sun's dying rays, either from discomfort of the light or embarrassment from what he was about to say, "it may seem a little weird but if you know me, then it won't. It's love. You've got to love the people."
He meant, love the ones you work with and also love the ones you work against.
That was the last gem Lafayette dropped on us before we left for dinner. On the ride to the restaurant I began to reflect on what he had said to us. "Love," I thought to myself. "Am I here in Alabama for love?"
The answer was no.
I was in Alabama because I was interested in learning about service leadership, traveling and getting another honors course out of the way. What I found in Alabama and what I took home with me was pure love.
Prior to leaving for Alabama, I was having second thoughts. I felt unsure of myself and of how well I would get along with my classmates. I even brought homework to do because I seriously thought I was going to want time alone to read. I was very wrong. As soon as I passed airport security I longed to be back in my bed, waiting for dawn so I could start the day with the people I already knew. I had no idea this experience would affect me so profoundly. It forced me from my comfort zone and into strange areas with unfamiliar faces.
