Ms. Smiley’s reflections…
My name is Georgiana Smyser and I was one of the interns with the Sunflower County Freedom Project during Freedom Summer 2010. I am from Houston, Texas and will be a senior at Dartmouth College this year. The following is a short anecdote about an afternoon that perfectly encapsulated what is great about the Freedom Project to me:
It was hot under the lights of the stage in the classroom Ole Miss was kind enough to let us use during our week we spent there. It was Wednesday afternoon, the third day of Performance rehearsal at Ole Miss in preparation for Freedom Day, scheduled for Saturday evening. We were putting on selected scenes from Chris Myers’ excellent interpretation of the events surrounding the murder of Emmett Till, “A Boy Named Bobo”. After a few casting changes, and a few cancelled practice sessions due to necessary study hall time, we needed every moment of rehearsal we could get. My co-teacher, Ms. Manne, sat in the audience patiently waiting for the run through to begin, Mr. McCoy our fearless leader watched expectantly from the rear of the classroom, and I attempted to keep order backstage. The run through began and every performer knew their lines and stage direction perfectly, however there seemed to be something missing. The Fellows seemed a little intimidated by the story and the emotions behind the lines. For most of them this was their first experience in a play and they were pushing themselves in ways they had never done before. If they hadn’t had the support system of their Freedom Project family they would most likely have kept their wooden and unsure performances all the way to Saturday not knowing how to let their emotions shine through. However, true to form, the Freedom Project would not miss this chance to learn and grow. Mr. McCoy once again showed his passion for excellence by immediately hopping onto the stage and work shopping the entire play scene by scene. Then in true LEAD fashion two Freedom Fellows who had been in Freedom Project performances before but were not in Performance class this summer, sprang into action. 3rd year Mr. Gillespie and 2nd year Mr. Thomas, last summer’s Bobo, offered seasoned advice on acting and even went up on stage to help their classmates feel more comfortable, showing them that it was ok to feel uncomfortable or awkward on stage as long as they were putting passion into their performance.
Ms. Manne and I sat back and watched, once again awed by the truly incredible display of support and enthusiasm the Freedom Project showed for its own. I hope that the Fellows feel they learned and grew as students during their time in my Writing, Performance, and Great Moments in American History classes. However, I know that I have learned more and evolved more as a person this summer than through any other experience of my life. The importance of community, the commitment to life long education, and the dedication to leadership impressed me to no end. I have been fortunate to be a part of many great learning communities from the excellent high school I attended in Houston, to the elite Ivy League school I now attend. However, no other institution has impacted me so greatly or imparted upon me the importance of education to the extent the Freedom Project did this summer. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Freedom Summer 2010, and I know I will carry the principles of Love Education Action Discipline, as well as the memories with me everywhere I go.
All my love to the Freedom Fellows,
Ms. Smiley
