Sixty-three seniors participated in Senior Life Experience Week, an opportunity to appreciate some of Los Angeles' rich culture and diversity. Some of the highlights from the four days include visiting the Museum of Tolerance, touring Homeboy Industries, exploring the African American Firefighters Museum, and marveling at the Endeavor at the California Science Center. NDA's indefatigable religion department organizes and leads the tour each year. Here is Gabriela's reflection on her week:
The most significant experience of SLEW for me was the civil rights and current events exhibits in the Museum of Tolerance. Having been to the Museum of Tolerance countless times, I find myself intrigued by the exhibits. I think what draws me to these two in particular is that the civil rights portion demonstrates great unity and strength. I love that those who fought maintained their faith and persisted. On the other hand, the current events portion shows how little we've changed and I think it is significant to me for that very reason; it opens our eyes and really makes us look at what we've accomplished.
MLK's sermon on "Loving Your Enemies" relates to our SLEW because I think it really touched on topics of hatred we saw in the museums we visited. MLK's sermon talked about the tragedy of human nature and how our utopian dream sometimes overpowers our Christian and moral responsibilities. He mentioned that with hate, true becomes false and false becomes true. We saw this throughout the week in the Holocaust and World War II in the 1930s and 40s, in the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s, and even now. To live in harmony, we need to love or enemies.
What now? SLEW reminded me that you are as much a part of the problem as your are a part of the solution. Since you can't win 100% of the shots you don't take, I've been reminded that change starts with me, a woman looking to make a difference. In starting now by educating myself, I am preparing myself to take those shots. Moments and experiences like SLEW are what prompt me to incite change in the future. With the numerous cultures that I've been exposed to thus far, I feel that this firsthand experience has had a significant impact on me.
The most significant experience of SLEW for me was the civil rights and current events exhibits in the Museum of Tolerance. Having been to the Museum of Tolerance countless times, I find myself intrigued by the exhibits. I think what draws me to these two in particular is that the civil rights portion demonstrates great unity and strength. I love that those who fought maintained their faith and persisted. On the other hand, the current events portion shows how little we've changed and I think it is significant to me for that very reason; it opens our eyes and really makes us look at what we've accomplished.
MLK's sermon on "Loving Your Enemies" relates to our SLEW because I think it really touched on topics of hatred we saw in the museums we visited. MLK's sermon talked about the tragedy of human nature and how our utopian dream sometimes overpowers our Christian and moral responsibilities. He mentioned that with hate, true becomes false and false becomes true. We saw this throughout the week in the Holocaust and World War II in the 1930s and 40s, in the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s, and even now. To live in harmony, we need to love or enemies.
What now? SLEW reminded me that you are as much a part of the problem as your are a part of the solution. Since you can't win 100% of the shots you don't take, I've been reminded that change starts with me, a woman looking to make a difference. In starting now by educating myself, I am preparing myself to take those shots. Moments and experiences like SLEW are what prompt me to incite change in the future. With the numerous cultures that I've been exposed to thus far, I feel that this firsthand experience has had a significant impact on me.