Unfiltered: Social Justice Journey

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Social Justice Journey

This article is part of an ongoing series, in which students document their experiences, both on campus and beyond, from their unique perspective.  

Before Sydney Mitchell ’19 graduated with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, she traveled to the Rio Grande Valley with other students on the annual Social Justice Journey, an immersive trip during which students consider the complicated relationship among history, legacy, activism and social change. Here are a few of her reflections and photos.

Photos and Reflections

Two women sitting in front of a Prada store in the middle of the desert

Director of Diversity and Inclusion Joi Torres and Associate Professor of University Studies Alex Barron go from nada to Prada.

A St. Edward's "Fear the Goat" sticker on a rusty pipe

While visiting the Prada store in Marfa, we left our mark.

Three students throwing the "Toppers Up" in front of a fence in the desert

Lilli Hime ’19 (center), Bianca (B.) Salinas ’19 (right) and me (left) became known as the “alumni association” on the Social Justice Journey.

A mostly empty street in a small town

A glimpse into a day-in-the-life of Marfa, Texas

Three students knee-deep in a river

Lynette Rucker ’22, Joy Ambrose ’22 and Valentin Padilla ’22 cool off in the Rio Grande River. Behind them is Mexico!

Two students sitting in front of a large sign that reads "Big Bend National Park"

Joi and Alex pose, while the rest of us cooled off in the van after canoeing 5 miles down the Rio Grande River!

A close-up selfie of a contemplative-looking student

Joi contemplates the rhetoric surrounding the borders and migrants risking everything for a better life.

A desert scene with shrubs, distant mountains, and a metal windmill

A snippet of the beautiful scenery that followed us along the journey.

An orange and blue painted building with rounded rooftops and entrances

We stayed at Eve’s Garden, a unique bed and breakfast, in Marathon, Texas.

An outdoor garden with a statue of a woman and flowers all around

There is a small observation deck on top of this building, perfect for decompressing and stargazing.

Two students outside, near a blue painted wall and potted flowers

B. and I were up early in the morning, ready to fight racism, homophobia and transphobia, which we regularly experienced on our trip.

A student in a bookstore reading a book that says "White Tears by Hari Kunzru"

Joi reads  at the largest one-story library in the nation. It was previously a WalMart and was converted into the McAllen Public Library.

A group of students in matching blue shirts pose in front of a building

The entire Social Justice Journey group poses outside La Posada Hotel in Laredo, Texas.

A man holding the hand of a woman to keep her from falling into a river as she reaches for a distant sunflower

Lilli and B. collect wild sunflowers off the shore of the Rio Grande River.

A busy street filled with cars

A peek at the international bridge over the Rio Grande River.

A white chapen in a field of green grass, with a small plaque in front of it

B. explores the historical church, La Lomita Mission, outside her hometown.

Four students overlooking a river

Lilli and I ponder how a wall will completely destroy this beautiful ecosystem and timeless neighborhood.

A large group of students poses in front of the river

Our group in front of the Rio Grande River, after a tour of the Chimney Trailer Park.

More About Sydney

Where are you from? Akron, Ohio (home of Swensons and — I guess — Lebron).

Describe your life on the hilltop in three words? Invaluable, transitional, adventurous 

What was the favorite part of the trip? The structure of the trip: We began our journey canoeing at Big Bend, which is a natural “border,” then ventured to the more rigid border and checkpoints, then visited Laredo, where the border was tangible, militarized, and finally, we saw the area where the wall is to be built.

Your idea of happiness? Living a transient life, never being in a single place for too long, and simply existing with those I love the most.

What is your present state of mind? Content, while in search of my true passion.

Tea or Coffee? Tea, more specifically, iced matcha tea with coconut milk and ½ pump of coconut syrup.

What inspires you? My mentors, the people who constantly push for equity, social awareness and cultural appreciation despite their surroundings.

What are you doing post-graduation? I’m an admission counselor at St. Edward’s! 

What's your favorite part of Austin? Right now? The greenbelt ... when it isn’t dry.