Suffolk Reporter

Students from Stony Brook University's Living Learning Community, part of the Socially Just Seawolves (SJS) program, visited the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro, NY, on October 14-15. The trip aimed to connect students with historical abolition efforts and their relevance to modern social justice issues.

The museum staff tailored the visit to align with SJS's mission of addressing social, economic, and political inequalities. This preparation ensured that the narratives shared were meaningful for the students' educational goals.

Brittany Platin, assistant director of college housing for the Living Learning Community at Stony Brook University (SBU), highlighted two impactful aspects of the visit. Students explored historic buildings where abolition work took place and engaged with displays in the Hall of Fame Gallery that celebrated key figures in the abolitionist movement.

A significant moment was touring the Gerrit Smith Estate. Gerrit Smith was a prominent abolitionist who used his wealth to support the cause. Students visited his original office and reflected on historic meetings held there with figures like Frederick Douglass. This experience underscored individual dedication and collaboration in achieving significant work.

Platin expressed hope that students would learn from this experience about how individual actions can drive meaningful change. "It is the collaborative work of individuals that helps work towards equity in our community," she stated, emphasizing ongoing activism and unity in tackling social inequalities.