An update of the last few days!!

Sorry everyone for not posting up lately, sometimes we don’t stay in places with internet BUT we are grateful even for those homes because the doors are opened to us and the hosts are welcoming.

The first full day I rejoined the Trail of Dreams we walked through Ashland, VA, an 11 mile walk. It was so nice to be back with my friends, Gaby, Grey, Felipe, Carlos, Juan, and of course the craziest, Wilfredo! For the longest time I didn’t think I was going to be able to meet up with them because of school, monetary issues, and getting my mother’s blessing. However, because of amazing friends, all of these were taken care of and my mom surprisingly gave me her blessing to walk to D.C.

The 2cd day was the day of rest, which was awesome! We chilled at this cool house with a friendly family!

The 3rd day we walked again, of course, and it was raining for the first part of the day. Grey let me wear her bright red poncho and I know that I looked like the Koolaid Man. That night we stayed at this bright green geometric adobe house. I had never seen anything like it before in my whole life! Gaby, myself, and Grey watched this scary movie before we went to sleep and when we turned off the movie, we heard creepy noises outside. I think it was a chupacabra.

Yesterday we continued walking and ended up in Fredericksburg, VA for lunch. At the church we ate at, everyone in the room was asked to sign in, which entailed your name, organization, and number. I didn’t know what to put down for organization. Do I put Reform Immigration FOR America NC, do I put Coalition for College Access UNC, or do I put nothing. Juan told me to write Trail of Dreams under the organization. This made me feel really accepted and good and so for the first time on paper, I was officially a part of the Trail of Dreams.

Why I love the Trail of Dreams: We walk everyday and meet new people, new faces everyday. When this happens we get to talk face to face with these people and not only share our stories but we get to hear their stories. We talk about whatever we want and it is hands down one of the most refreshing experiences I have ever had.

We are all pumped and excited about May 1st !!

-Wooten

Two days before I leave!!!

I am soooo excited about going to walk! I have a lot to finish before I go-like say goodbye to a lot of people. Luckily I finished all of my school assignments so I won’t have to worry about that. I am kind of nervous..I really don’t do that much physical activity but I cannot ignore what I am feeling. It is time to get things done. No more talking about change, no more words. It’s time to walk the talk. =]

Joining the Trail

My name is Wooten Gough, I am a first year student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I am called to walk on the Trail of Dreams to Washington D.C.

The Trail of Dreams is a path that started in Miami, Florida with four truly inspirational and courageous people, three of which are undocumented. They have been walking since January first of this year, making their way to D.C. for equal rights and higher education for undocumented students in the U.S.

When I first heard of them, like many, I was shocked and curious. I wanted to know more about these people who were taking such a creative and interesting action to get justice for them, their families, and their friends. I emailed some one working with them asking that they speak at my school. This past Monday (April 5th), they spoke on the steps of the oldest library on campus and then something happened afterward that was beautiful.

Around 50 to 60 people met on Franklin Street Chapel Hill to join the original walkers to walk in solidarity with them to Durham. As I looked around I noticed that the majority of the participants were students and I was filled with utter joy because there was so much love among the crowd. Gabby, one of the walkers from Miami, said that on the trail they want to create and share love. The love grew as we walked that day.

So what is next? I am called to walk with the Trail of Dreamers the rest of the way to Washington D.C. I can no longer wait around to see what might happen, but instead stand up and fight for what is right! Each step on the Trail of Dreams is for a real person, a real face, a real life, and above all, each step is for the dreams of a student. This is not just a Latino issue, this movement is for anyone who has ever been told they cannot accomplish something, for anyone who has a dream. I have spoken with each of my teachers and they all have agreed to let me walk and so I will join the Trail April 18th.