For our seminar, we have gotten to meet with some truly amazing people in the past month. Though they have all been amazing, I have three favorites so far that I will never forget.
First, we got to meet with General William Suter, the Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court. That day started off amazingly as we got to look around the Court and then sit-in on an information session with one of the employees from the Curator's Office. I was in awe of the architecture in the building and the history that accompanied it. This visit definitely played to my love for history. When you first walk into the Supreme Court, you are in this huge open lobby with columns and busts of former Chief Justices such as John Marshall and Roger Taney. Directly in the back is a set of double-doors that lead into the actual courtroom. I couldn't believe it when we got the chance to sit in there; the first thing you seen when you walk in is the long bench with the nine black chairs. I absolutely loved it. We are actually going to get to go to the Court later in the semester with our professor to watch an oral argument, which should be absolutely amazing; I can't wait! My fascination with this visit didn't end here though; after our information session we went into one of the conference rooms and met with General Suter. He was an amazing speaker because he loves what he does and just truly loves life. He talked to us briefly about what his role is for the Court and then let our class ask him questions for over an hour. He answered all of them genuinely and didn't hesitate to joke with us a bit which made it much more fun. General Suter told us stories about the Court regarding some of the Justices, when Presidents come in for ceremonies, and the upcoming Sotomayor ceremony where she takes her seat on the bench for the first time. Her ceremony was taking place the week after we met with him. He talked to us about the people he's met and working with foreign nations' military personnel teaching them about the U.S. government and how it operates. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to meet with him.
Another incredible person we got to speak to was Mr. Norm Mineta. He is another person that gave off this incredible positive energy; he was so happy to be meeting with us. Mr. Mineta and my professor have known each other for a very long time; our professor described him as his mentor. Mr. Mineta began his talk with us by telling us about his father and when his father came to the U.S. from Japan when he was 14. He then transitioned into his childhood and the permanent influence World War II had on him after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Mr. Mineta and his family were among the hundreds of thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans that were interned by the U.S. government following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Mineta explained to us what it was like to have to pack up and leave their home. He explained the psychological effects being labeled as "non-alien" as opposed to "citizen" had on him and his family. He talked about having to play baseball in the camps with a 2x4 because the MP's took away baseball bats out of fear they would be used as a weapon. He talked to us about how they were told they were being put in the camps for their own safety but that the machine guns in the guard towers were aimed inside the camp, not outside. Even after all of this, Mr. Mineta absolutely loves the U.S. He became mayor of San Jose, CA, a congressman from CA, Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton, and Secretary of Transportation under President Bush. He explained to us that we have so many opportunities available to us by being in this country and that we need to take advantage of them. He told us to remember, however, to become involved in even local committees or government groups and participate as a way to say thank you to the country we live in. He described America as a tapestry instead of referring to it as a melting pot. Mr. Mineta explained that "melting pot" suggests each element losing its identity. He said that a tapestry is more fitting for the U.S. as each strand is unique and strong on its own, but combines for a stronger whole. Rather than each person losing their identity, people are able to be proud of their ancestry, ethnicity, or where they come from while also have pride in being an American.
While Mr. Mineta and General Suter follow very close behind, my favorite speaker we've seen so far has been Congressman John Lewis. No one in my class left his office with a dry eye, including my professor. I could not believe we got to meet one of the icons of the Civil Rights Movement. I am so fortunate to have been able to meet with him; it is something I will never forget. We all shook his hand as we walked in, he made sure everyone in our class had a seat in his office, and then just told his story. He explained how he first got involved in the Movement, his first time meeting Martin Luther King, Jr., and becoming involved in non-violent demonstrations in college. Congressman Lewis talked about participating in the Freedom Rides, meeting Rosa Parks, and being arrested. He talked to us about meeting with President Kennedy with Martin Luther King, Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Ralph Abernathy and the rest of the Big Six. He explained that that meeting led to the March on Washington. At the March, Congressman Lewis spoke sixth; he was the youngest speaker there. He told us the story of the march from Selma to Montgomery and being beaten by police officers. I think our whole class was in awe the entire time he talked with us. I cannot describe what it was like to hear these stories from him; hearing them is so different than simply reading about them in a history book. One of my favorite stories he told us was about being at President Obama's inauguration. He stood there at the inauguration looking across at the Lincoln Memorial. Over forty years ago, Congressman Lewis was standing at the Lincoln Memorial looking back at the Capitol at the March on Washington. The goosebumps I got was a testament to the symbolism and power of these comparisons. Congressman Lewis described what is was like to see things from the other see and see the country elect Obama as President. One of the other amazing parts of our visit with Congressman Lewis was the photographs we got the chance to see and hold. His office is covered with frames full of pictures and awards from floor to ceiling. As he told us the different stories, he would simply take a picture down and pass it around to us. We each got to hold pictures of him with Martin Luther King, Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Ralph Abernathy, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young. The experience we had left us speechless.
