Civic Dispatch: Living democracy in Camden provides deep appreciation for hometown, role of citizens

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Kaitlin Stabler reflects on the relationships and experiences she had reconnecting with her hometown of Camden this summer.

The end of summer is fast approaching, and thus comes the beginning of a new school year. I’m now forced to focus on school responsibilities and campus involvement at Auburn University, hoping to forge a path that leads me to a successful future.

But, before I switch the gears of my mind into ultimate student mode, I’ve been afforded at least one more week to reminisce about the time I spent here in Camden having an experience that differed from anything I’d ever known.

I was born in Selma, Alabama, and have spent my entire life in Camden. Before my journey at Auburn began, I could’ve counted the number of times I’d left the surrounding area on one hand, give or take two fingers.

I have always considered myself a citizen of Camden, and technically that’s exactly what I am—it’s what I was before I left and perhaps what I’ll always be. Lately, however, I’ve been questioning the actual legitimacy of technicalities because of a not-so-easily-digestible realization.

I have never felt more like a Camden citizen than I do now, specifically than I have this summer. Not in the entirety of my life here beforehand have I ever felt so connected to this place and its people. In some ways, I could wish this same feeling for anyone who has been a part of the Living Democracy program, whether interning in their hometown or thrown into unfamiliar territory. However, I hope that they are, in turn, able to bear responsibility for this emotion and acknowledge their role in it.

As I reflect on my youth, I can see clearly that I was part of my community in namesake alone. In school, I was a member of a select few organizations that required me to contribute to the community, but I did those things absentmindedly and with a disconnect to what any of it meant or stood for. Then, though it was ultimately for the benefit of others, my service was merely a means of combatting the monotony of an endless school day through field trips or service projects excusing me from class.

This summer, however, was different. While interning in Camden, I found myself exploring and relearning everything I thought I knew about my hometown. I walked the streets of downtown and found myself taken aback by its rustic beauty.

I met people I’d never thought I would find here and was entranced by the stories they told. Every moment spent volunteering at local non-profits and interacting with the people they help provoked within me feelings of worth and purpose outside of striving for academic excellence or obtaining wealth to escape poverty.

For the first time in a while, maybe ever, I felt a part of something bigger than myself and could see Camden as a town with depth and character, much more than I ever could’ve imagined before. I can’t attribute the entire experience simply to my own desire and willingness to be involved, to want to delve into Camden’s intricacies or give back to its community. I must acknowledge the people here that encouraged me every step of the way.

Sulynn Creswell and Kristin Law, thank you for supporting me throughout this summer and providing me with every necessary tool I needed to be successful. All I needed was to ask and help was there. Whether I needed a contact, an idea or a second opinion, you both were there with wisdom and encouragement.

Speaking of encouragement, thank you for indulging my whims and doing your best to help me recreate the visions I had for the community. Some didn’t succeed, and others took plenty of work to come to fruition, but again, despite the failures and successes, you all were there.

Thank you also for giving me the space I needed to thrive, explore my own interests and personalize this experience into one unique from what anyone else had before. I know, at times, my methods were somewhat unconventional, but you placed trust in me and allowed me to flourish. You two are thoroughly appreciated.

I thank the entire Black Belt Treasures team, both workers and artists, for welcoming me in and treating me like one of their own. Thank you, Vera, Shatoria and Mary Forrest, for the laughs. Ms. Betty and Mr. Sam, thank you for the incredible and hilarious stories. Joy and Rena, thanks for the compassion you’ve shown me. I appreciate your presence within the shop and within my life. I’m sure the customers feel the same.

I feel as though I’ve forged many new friendships this summer and have met, and reconnected with, numerous people whom I feel honored to have worked with. In addition to Black Belt Treasures, I’d like to thank the dedicated Wilcox Works Inc. staff for everything they’ve done for me as well. Wilcox Works became a second workplace for me, and the people there truly are my second family.

My time there began with my volunteering to teach a weekly computer class to citizens unversed in technology. As time passed, the bonds I cultivated grew beyond community service. Between reminiscing about my old high school days with Shanyia and Ay’Drice, receiving light-hearted lectures about life from Mr. Lightner, and laughing and joking with the rest of the crew, I spent so much time there that my summer became deeply intertwined with Wilcox Works and much of my work centered around it.

While there are so many more people that deserve acknowledgment for contributing to my summer in Camden, I mustn’t forget the hardworking women of the Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper. I am sure that you’re reading this firsthand and hope that you’ll be pleased with my show of gratitude.

I have never been much of an expressive person, not outwardly nor through speech. Writing has always been my outlet, my own way of expressing myself, my thoughts and my feelings without worries about stuttering or choking up, something that I struggle with quite often and have since I was young.

I realized the power of writing when I was a small child, afraid to open my mouth, terrified that the wrong words may slip out. As I got older and the daunting questions regarding potential career paths accrued, I had many bland and boring yet acceptable answers that I thought would appease the adults so curious about my future, but I never believed one word I said about it.

However, I knew I wanted a career that involved writing, even if I wasn’t the one actually doing the writing. To be in the vicinity of it would’ve been enough for me, but to actually write and publish articles with my name on them felt like a pipedream.

Somehow, I had gotten in my head that a kid, let alone a black girl, from Camden, Alabama, shouldn’t even dream of pursuing a legitimate career in journalism. I had convinced myself that no one cared what I had to say, would want to read what I wrote. Yet, here I am, writing, published, still black, and still from Camden.

Ms. Curl, Ms. Stallings and Ms. Gamble, thank you for reading my work. Thank you for allowing me to share my work with others and thank you for exposing me to a different perspective of journalism, the effort that goes into running a newspaper and the tedious labor it entails.

Many a day I’ve watched you all tussle with the computer while composing the paper. You’ve also watched me as well struggle as I tried and failed, at times miserably, to replicate the work that you ladies do. Nevertheless, thank you for being fantastic teachers. Now, whenever I pick up a newspaper, specifically a Progressive Era edition, I can recall the exact steps that went into printing that paper, and I will make sure that everyone around me knows as well.

I know this is about Camden and, of course, I would never want to diminish that. However, I must say this, or I wouldn’t be able to submit this piece at all. Thank you, Professor Fairley, Dr. Wilson and Brittany for affording me the opportunity to get to know these people and to have this experience.

I’m sure everyone who knows you can agree that very little of this would be possible without you and all the work you put in with us students and the program itself. You are appreciated by me and all of the Living Democracy fellows.

There is so much else I want to say, so many more people to mention and so much I’d like to highlight about this summer and the adventures it held. So, hoping that it’ll be sufficient for the article but aware that it’ll never truly encapsulate all that I wish to say had I the time, I’ll say this as a final testament and a plea to the people of Wilcox County.

You opened your hearts to me and I to you, much more than I was ever capable of doing before leaving. I ask that you do so also for the generation after me, and I’ll do the same as well. As I’ve said, I never felt more like a citizen of Camden until after I had left and came back for two months, and I’ve taken my share of responsibility for it. I acknowledge the guilt I felt, the confusion. Now, I wish to spare others the same feelings I had.

Elders, let the children of Camden know that their lives matter in this town, that this is their home, their community, and the longevity of this town depends on them. Hold them accountable and do so for yourselves as well.

As young children and adults, we need the older generation to lead us in the right direction, set examples for us and communicate our responsibilities and what’s expected as citizens and members of a community, what it means and why it matters. I’m sure you needed your parents and grandparents to do the same for you, or maybe you figured it out on your own. But, please, enlighten us.

Children, listen to the wise words of your elders. Listen to the voices that encourage you to look outside yourself and partake in something bigger. I know it feels this way now, but the world is so much bigger than you. It’s larger than your desires and your fears and, despite how this may sound, that’s actually a great thing. Be a part of a community. Get involved. Broaden your horizons.

It’s easy to focus on the aspects of your life that merely serve you, to run after whatever materialistic resource you believe will make you whole. However, this way of life is unfulfilling. It doesn’t yield the benefits you expect.

This world is filled with people focused primarily on themselves and what they can gain from life. You’ve possibly encountered quite a few who have urged you to take on this individualistic thinking. I’m not naïve, and I won’t encourage you to be. This mindset can be beneficial. However, consider this. How could a planet where everything revolves around one specific object survive? How could we? Everything affects everything. You and the choices you make affect every single person around you. No pressure, though.

Kaitlin is currently a sophomore at Auburn University, pursuing a double major in English and Journalism. With her degree, she aims to work as a copyeditor for one of the many publishing companies that print her favorite novels. This summer, she returned to the town of Camden, AL, where she was born and raised to reconnect with her community and give back to the place that has given so much to her over the years. Her time away from Camden allowed her to come back with fresher eyes and a deeper appreciation of the cozy, quaint town she calls home.