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One hundred Dallas College students visited Selma last Sunday as part of its multi-state Historic Civil Rights tour.

Dallas County students and advisors traveled by bus for the three-day excursion, including stops at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.

“It’s important for students to learn about history, particularly history that has often been forgotten, erased, ignored, and marginalized,” Dr. Roy Vu, a history professor at Dallas College. “It’s imperative that our students have the opportunity to learn about the history of the United States and of the world. History provides a lot of lessons.”

Shanee’ Moore, senior director of campus administration, who helped organized the trip, said parallels between the movement and current efforts to turn back the clock on equality and fair play.

“We’re very fortunate to have this generation of students,” Moore said. “They don’t just sit back. They see an injustice and regardless of race, religion or whatever and they speak up and do something about it. I think this [tour] will energize them.”

Xavier Chancellor, a theater major at Dallas College, said the trip was important for him and his classmates.  Chancellor, who is scheduled to appear in an upcoming audition for a role at Jubilee Theater’s production of the “The Color Purple,” visited Selma last year and crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Chancellor said he was glad to come back.

“A few students cried and all of us were overwhelmed,” Chancellor said. “It’s very emotional to see some of the lynchings and see replicas of mothers in chains with their babies in their arms. My spirit was telling me to make the others comfortable so that they felt they could speak.  We all needed a safe space to talk.

“You feel inspired. You reflect on the stories your family told you and you’re confident about where you are and that you belong. I didn’t always want to go to college but I’m so happy about these experiences. I know that we are here on this earth to be of service. I didn’t always want to go to college but I’m so happy about these experiences. I know that we are here on this earth to be of service.”

Vu said that he admired what African-Americans went through during the racial injustice during the 1950’s and 60’s. “They were so resourceful and resilient and innovative and courageous,” Vu said.