The March on Stockton took place on November 19, 2015 promptly at 4:30pm. Participants met at the Campus Center and were encouraged to bring posters or signs to display while marching for racial equality. The flyer for the event challenged, “Will you stand if we walk for justice?” Following the march was a panel discussion which geared toward conversing about racial issues on campus and worldwide, highlighting equality and diversity. This march was monumental because as a student body we collectively took a stand on an issue that has been pressing American culture since the formation of this country.
Arriving at the event, I was struck by how many people were actually present. There was a wide assortment of participants, with students from various racial backgrounds and even some faculty and staff members who wanted to be part of the statement march. The sign I carried stated, “RacISm Wrong #StocktonStandUp” and a friend of mine’s sign stated “Black Lives Matter #HandsUpStandUp”. Something I remember from the event that I am having trouble putting into words is the overwhelming feeling of importance and purpose I felt being a part of something like this. I am confident the other participants felt it too.
The march was something out of a movie. Almost as if the sky knew we were coming, it started violently pouring rain outside. That did not stop us from standing up. As any other march, crowd mentality took over and my fellow participants and I started chanting civil rights mottos at the top of our lungs. Leaders immerged from the crowd initiating new chants or prolonging the current one. My favorite was, “No Justice No Peace, Know Justice Know Peace”. As a group we had a lot of fun, it was very exciting. I remember at one point I turned to my right and realized I was marching next to my argument and persuasion teacher, Professor Damon Smith, who is extremely vocal about his beliefs on civil rights issues such as the War on Drugs. It was then, walking with my professor as equals, that it hit me that hey, I am a civil rights activist. Like me, a lot of activists were born that day, or at least were exposed to the world of purposeful action.
After the march, participants were given pizza and invited to stick around for the panel discussion on race. I did not get the chance to attend the panel as I was rushing to the Annual Student Faculty and Staff Dinner but I am more than positive it was very enlightening. Reflecting back on the event, I am very grateful and proud to attend a university that allows justice marches to take place, whose faculty and students can walk side by side, united because of common unavoidable issues. Little steps like this make a difference and impact the bigger picture and scheme of things. The Stockton Stand Up march was definitely one for the books and I would do it again in a heart beat.