On one of the last days of camp we got a visit from Robert J. Ross, the president of The California Endowment. He did not send a representative. He actually took time out of his schedule to go to Portola to talk to a bunch of young men of color. I remember thinking, for someone like him to visit us, we must have some value. He shared about himself and why the camp was important. Most memorably he reiterated a few words from Mahatma Gandhi, which were “Be the change you wish to see in this world.”

After the camp, I was glad to be back in the comfort of my home, my own bed. It was nice to get away from the city and stop stressing about my responsibilities. However, after a little while I was sad to leave the friends I had made at the camp. I missed the feeling of being in a place like that with so many people that looked like me.

The camp was a mind opening experience. I feel like the camp changed my point of view. As a young man of color, I may have issues and difficulties that I face that others do not. This does not mean that I am alone. I now think of others as well, instead of just myself. I left the camp with new hope that we can make a change in our communities. In order to do so, we have to take the initiative and take action. Like Dr. Ross told us, I must be the change I want to see.

Tags: boys and men of color, camping, healing, manhood, social justice, sons & brothers, spotlight, trauma