Hello everyone! My name is Daniel Schekorra. If you have read my introduction post, then you know that we will be heading to the Whitney Plantation on March 10, 2014. I was a participant on last year's New Orleans Alternative Break, and my favorite part of the trip was visiting the Whitney Plantation. The first thing I did as the new trip leader was set up our visit to Whitney for this year.
The plantation was founded in 1752. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1992. Since then, Jon Cummings has purchased the land and is rebuilding it into a museum to honor the slaves who were forced to work there and elsewhere in the southern United States.
Last year's visit to Whitney set the mood for the entire trip. In particular, Mr. Cummings wants to give an image of slavery through the eyes of the children who were forced to grow up there. Particularly, I remember the Field of Angels. This is an area that Mr. Cummings created to honor children who passed away before their third birthday. Visiting the plantation and hearing Mr. Cummings talk about the history and those who were there is truly a moving experience, and I am sure that will show in the blogs that will be posted the night of our visit.
Mr. Cummings wants to "create confusion" among visitors by sharing the miseries of life in slavery. His goal is to tell individual stories and humanize those who suffered. When the museum finally opens up (maybe later this year), visitors will surely have an emotional experience.
I have so much respect for Mr. Cummings. He has been working on the plantation since 1998 and has spent over $6 million. I think that his work will lead to a lot of good things. By acknowledging and honoring those who have suffered in the past, I think we will be able to correct some of the current problems in our culture today.
It really is a beautiful area. Has anyone seen Django Unchained? A portion of that movie was filmed at Whitney? Part of Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was, too, but I assume (and hope) more of you have seen Django; however, the powerful emotional experience far surpasses the looks. At this time, Mr. Cummings has not told us what our service work will involve, but I am very excited to return.
Thank you!
Daniel Schekorra
Whitney's website: http://whitneyplantation.com/
NY Times article discussing Mr. Cummings vision for the museum: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/26/arts/design/a-restored-louisiana-plantation-and-its-lifeblood.html?_r=0
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