Lights, Camera…Activism!

(Written by Matt Moore) 

It has been almost two weeks since returning from our trip to New Orleans, and I have pretty much settled back into my normal, home routine.  The first few days back, I found it very hard to adjust to life in Vermont.  The trip to NOLA was an unforgettable, life changing experience, where my only regret was that we had to come back so soon.  We met so many unbelievable people, whose stories were even more unbelievable. 

                Now that we are under a month away from graduation, it’s hard to focus on other schoolwork.  This trip however, made me realize how most of us take our education for granted.  After seeing and hearing what some people had/have to go through to get to school, it really made me feel privileged for what I have.  Some people would kill for the opportunities that we have, and so often don’t take full advantage of.  It really hit me when we were watching a movie made by film maker Vince Morelli: in his film there were students who wouldn’t go to school on certain days, because they were too scared of getting shot.  It’s pretty shocking to hear something like that, and made me feel spoiled since the only reason I’ve ever not wanted to go to school was cause of a test I didn’t study for, or project I didn’t do. 

                I am excited to see our final movie, and hope that it can somewhat show people what our experience was like.  I know it’s hard to make a movie original, when thousands of others have tried to do the same thing, but I think that our unique experience will give it something special.  I know this is how most of the class feels, so I have no doubt we will be able to make what we sent out for.  I am looking forward to the next few weeks, and can’t wait to see it on the big screen.