Subject: FW: On our way to Cape Town
From: "Philip McAdoo" <[email-masked]>
To: "Undisclosed recipients:"
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2017 16:08:40 +0000

Friends

Not sure if this went through…

With gratitude

Philip McAdoo, Ed.D
Director of Equity, Justice and Community
Sidwell Friends School
3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202-537-2406
Mobile: 202-430-0095

“When those who have the power to name and to socially construct reality choose not to see you or hear you, whether you are dark-skinned, old disabled, female or speak with a different accent or dialect than theirs…when someone describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” - Adrienne Rich

From: Philip McAdoo <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Date: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 5:49 PM
To: "<South Africa 20 17>"
Subject: On our way to Cape Town

Friends

Just checking in and off to Cape Town

We have been on hike and for some reason, the students  did not think that I was serious when I said we were going hiking. Many of them thought it would be like “The Billy Goat” trail, and they did not hold back (”I hate you for this , McAdoo”) how they felt about me “dragging” them on this beautiful hike where whales, dolphins, and few monkeys were spotted.

We hope to begin our blog, but I will share with you below what a student wrote:

Thursday, June 22, 2017.

The day we defied death. The second day of the hike brought powerful winds and rain, which would not be conducive to the path we were taking. From flying ponchos to a few falls on the trail, the interesting weather situation was most evident as we conquered a difficult rock path leading up to the incline towards the checkpoint cave. Naturally, after climbing mountains and treading rocks, any individual would be tired, but the group continued on the trail towards the end- a nice, warm hotel serving us water and orange juice.

However, it wasn’t the amenities or the wind that was the most powerful element of the day. It was compassion and camaraderie. If someone was falling behind in the group, you could hear loud, encouraging shouts in the woods or assistance when someone tripped or actually fell. All in all, it was an experience that if nothing else, taught us humility and perseverance. I am appreciative of having had the pleasure to engage in the activity.

With gratitude

Philip McAdoo, Ed.D
Director of Equity, Justice and Community
Sidwell Friends School
3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202-537-2406
Mobile: 202-430-0095

“When those who have the power to name and to socially construct reality choose not to see you or hear you, whether you are dark-skinned, old disabled, female or speak with a different accent or dialect than theirs…when someone describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” - Adrienne Ric