Sunflower County Freedom Project

Kenyon King has a Dream

"If not you, then who; If not now, then when?" is a quote that was written by the SNCC organization way before I was ever born.  They knew way back then that nothing was going to be done the way you wanted them to be done unless you did it yourself.  Your mother could not do it.  Your father could not nor could anyone else.  They knew that they were the "key" to unlocking that door.  They had dreams for their community that they made reality, so by them making their dreams reality, I can now dream for myself and my community.

The dream that I have for my community is the dream for which my white side of town would come together with my lack side of town and throw some kind of community party.  Shame to say that when Moorhead throws it's Annual Yellow Bog Festival, there are only about 5 or 6 whites there.  I don't know what the problem is but I really have a dream for that to happen one day. 

The second dream I have for my community is for that on Sunday mornings there would be no one standing at the stores or standing on the corners.  I dream that they are at work or for heaven's sake at church.  Not only on Sunday but for every day of the week.

I have a dream that when a person of upper age comes by and tells someone younger to do something, they do it.  I don't mean they have to be related but if they don't even know them they should say, "Yes, Ma'am, No Ma'am" or "Yes Sir, No Sir" and keep on going.  There would be no back talk or anything like that because they know that adults are supposed to be respected.

I don't know about you, but I have a dream today.

-Kenyon King, 4th Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

Mykia Clayton has a Dream

I have a dream.  Every man that has ever set foot on this earth knows what dreams are.  Now, the dictionary states that dreams are a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep.  I believe that there is more to dreams than just that.  It's those back-up batteries people use to push on.  Dreams are what inspires us to be all that we can be.  As an American I definitely have some big dreams of my own.

As an African American and a teenager, I know what it is like to have no hope.  That is one of the reasons I joined the Freedom Project.  I not only believe in myself but in others as well.  I have always known that I could make it to greatness.  There are so many things I want to do to change this world that we live in.

 First, I would like to give back to the community from which I came.  My grandmother always told me, "Make sure you know where you going, child, but never forget where you came from."  I take this to heart.  I could start by helping those in need, such as the elderly.  I would also like to introduce other surrounding areas to the Freedom Project.  Something else that I plan to accomplish is to become an anthropologist and a doctor.  I really enjoy learning about others' cultures.  It fascinates me to see people be content with their lives even though they have so little.  i know that this may seem out of my range, but nothing can stop me.  That is my dream.

-Mykia Clayton, 3rd Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays. 

Johnnie Mae Williams has a Dream

My dream for myself is to live my life right as I can.  My main dream is to stay in school, graduate, go to college, and get a degree.  My only way to reach these goals is to challenge myself and get motivated.  Many people say that I won't make it but I know where my future is heading.  I won't let a lot of people get in they way of what I want to be in life.  For example, Martin Luther King had to go through hard challenges to get where he wanted to be.  Without hims, whites and blacks wouldn't have come together as one.  When I first heard Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech, I knew I could do better.  I always can put a lot of effort in what I do.  A lot of effort is all I take to keep going.  Judgment and stupidness is not going to get i my way of being somebody one day.  Like what my superintendent said, "Don't let stupid be your friend."  If I don't do my best, I can always try harder the next time.

My dream for my community is to talk to someone I know someone I can trust to make everyone come together as one to clean up trash, recycle, fix our streets, and tear down everything that my community does not need.  Sunflower is having a hard time and no one wants to make a difference but I know that my community can be a better place to live in.  My main dream for my community is to make sure it is safe and environmentally clean.  With my effort and skills, my dreams will come true.

-Johnnie Mae Williams, 2nd Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

Michael Burse has a Dream

My dreams are to graduate High School and go to college, maybe Texas A&M University or the University of North Carolina.  Make many life long friends.  And to graduate from college and go straight into my job.  A marine biologist become well known then at age of 65.  And to get a family and move back home to help out the community.

So when I move back home I hope to see that everyone is moving back to help with the delta.  And we will sit down and reminisce about old times.  And then talk about what we need to change and then have a town meeting and discuss everything we need to do.  So after we meet we all will go into the community and see if the change is happening.  And if nothing changes we all will have to start.  Remember Margaret Mead sad that "never doubt that a small group of individuals can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

So now when everybody sees that the way we're going we are not moving forward, so they will help.  Altogether we can make a change.  And then Sunflower and the delta can come out and become the place that I know it can be.  Then, hopefully everyone with each other and one accord.  Remember Li Jun Fan said, "There is no weapon more deadly than the will." If you remember this, where there is a way, you will always be on top.

-Michael Burse, 5th Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

Primus Apolonio has a Dream

I have a dream that I would like to see come true.  I would like to attend Duke University and I want to major in Medical Technologies.  While I'm on my road to success, I will have smaller goals and obstacles to pass.  I have friends, family, and teachers who will push me to strive for the best.

Tests are a major obstacle that I have to study hard for.  Passing these tests are just a couple of steps toward college.  Also, ignoring trash talking students will boost up your confidence to succeed.  Playing sports and juggling schoolwork is kinda hard.  So I'm trying to get my work done first and assiduously focus on sports later.

-Primus Apolonio, 2nd Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

Latoysha Brown has a Dream

My dream is to never be hurt again and I will love to see my African-American people rise.  All through my life, I have had pain in my heart.  I fit wasn't from my daddy leaving me, it was something else.  I am fourteen years old and have more hurt and problems than an adult.  I am so tied of people saying I'm sorry and then go back and do the same thing again.  I just want to forgive and let go, but how can I when things keep punching me in the face.  I would love for it to stop!

My second dream is for my African-American people.  I want you people to rise and stop letting our ancestors down.  We are the next people to become something but how can we, when we are not focused.  we are taking education for a joke and that's something that our people died for.  You need to be in gear because we are the ones that hold the future for tomorrow.  This is part of my hurt because I am so tired of being real and loving people.  I give people all of my heart and then the African-Americans are the ones who hurt me.  My own black people are the ones who turn their backs against me.

-Latoysha Brown, 2nd Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

Latavius Pleas has a Dream

A dream that I have for myself is to go through college because both of my parents dropped out of college.  To be a police officer or to play football.  The dream I want for my community is to make it better.  On way I can do that is to teach people how to stay out of trouble.  Stop fighting.  I wish someone could get more buildings around my community.  Maybe have one where kids can come hang out.

This is also part of my dream because when I get older I want to help people that don't have anything.  By helpng my community I can use this as a start.  I think my community can get better if more people join the Freedom Project because it helped me.  At first I was scared to talk in front of people.

I believe this is a good way to stop people from hurting other people.  Because if like one side of my community has blacks on it and one side has whites on it, if we go on their side they would have their dogs chase us.  If they come to the store on our side, they would run to their cars.  I believe if we can stop all of that, things can change.

-Latavius Pleas, 1st Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

David Stevenson has a Dream

I have a dream that one day a better day is coming for Gentry High School.  I have a dream that the kids will pass their state tests and bring our scores up.  I have a dream.  I have a dream that the Governor and the State won't have to shut down Gentry but have faith we kids can pass the test and say "Well done, Gentry, well done."

I have a dream that Indianola, MS will have better jobs that will pay us well and bring food to the table.  I have a dream.  I have a dream.  I have a dream that I will be good and great in whatever I do.  I have a dream.

I have a dream that I will be a Republican Senator of New York and the man in charge of the White House.

-David Stevenson, 5th Year

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Freedom Project took 9 students to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, meet up with other members of the SCFP family, and see a Memphis Grizzlies' Game.  To attend, students completed "I have a Dream" essays.

The Official SCFP Newsletter Fall 2009

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SCFPFallNewsletter

Look out! Here I Come!

Today, it is easier as a freshman. I'm used to the hectic work that flies past me, but i think these will be the most memorable years of my life. I have been doing a lot more studying lately than usual. I have done so many projects i feel like sometimes my fingers will fall off. I am glad that I can manage, though. As anxious as I am to join the adult world nothing is like living in the moment. I can feel great as a freshman as hectic as it is. So I'm going to live life, but watch out world! Here I Come!