Traveling to Culturally Significant Locations: Whitney Plantation (Louisiana) (6 points) - (Angel Bryant Class of 2028)

 During this past summer I had the privilege of travelling to a location that was culturally significant to me. My family has a rich creole history and my grandfather was able to trace back our ancestry to exactly which plantation my ancestors were enslaved. Therefore, I was able to visit, learn more about my own history, and embrace my culture during my trip to the Whitney Plantation in New Orleans. This experience was very impactful to me I had preconceived knowledge of the names of family members that were enslaved at that location but that was all I knew going in. Once I got there I was able to walk into their living quarters and see the plantations where they worked and the block they were sold on. I was able to learn about what each day looked like for them and see just how they lived. It is a new experience to see what enslavement is like outside of a classroom or a textbook especially when it is ones own direct ancestors. Strengths about this experience is that I was able to take a self guided tour with headphones so I could pace the heavy subject matter myself. A weakness of the experience is that because of how records were kept during enslavement all of the information about the individuals were simply names and ages but nothing about who they were as people. This intensely impacted my goals and aspirations as I was reminded to dream bigger. Although it may sound cliche it reminded me of my purpose which is to seek out a fulfilling free life that brings me utmost joy and gives back to my community. It reminded me of what my ancestors faced and how I want my decisions, words and actions to honor them. 

Angel Bryant (Class of 2028)