My whole life, I have had so much pride in my city. I lived in the same house my entire life. The furthest away I moved before Missouri State, was down the hall. I`ve only had anything but pride for St. Louis.

Over the past weekend, I had the pleasure of leading a Bear Breaks trip to St. Louis. Before leaving Thursday, I was so concerned with making the participants fall in love with my city. I wanted them to see the Arch and explore Forest Park. I wanted them to visit the Old Courthouse and hang out at the Loop. All the attractions of St. Louis that never get old for me. I wanted them to see all the good I see in my city.

However, I realized pride in St. Louis means acknowledging the social issues and the place for improvement. St. Louis is not just hanging around the Science Center and IKEA. St. Louis is The Ville and the residents of Sarah street. St. Louis is the countless neighborhoods still affected by a dark history of redlining and zoning laws used to segregate the area. It is the Dred Scott case that ran through Missouri courts deeming former slaves and their descendants not citizens and unable to sue for freedom. It is the indigenous populations that were forced out of the area by white settlers. It is where the shooting of Michael Brown in August of 2014, thrust police brutality into the national spotlights and sparked a movement of protests that still happen today.

This weekend, I learned more about my city and its history than I thought imaginable in just four short days. My pride for my city is stronger than ever and I know for a fact that my fellow participants feel the same way. There are now nine new people who love St. Louis for both its dark past and bright future.

I love you, St. Louis. I will be back soon and ready to work.