The community celebrated MLK Day with workshops, speakers, and service on Monday, January 19. MLK Day, the only federal holiday designated a National Day of Service, commemorates the life and achievements of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. As in past years, classes were not held, and instead students engaged in special programming.
This year’s MLK Day theme was “Democracy as a Beloved Community.” Ms. Ashley Aluko, co-director of pluralism and community, said, “We turn our attention to Dr. King’s vision of democracy, not as a finished structure, but as a living project—one that depends on our willingness to build, question, and care for one another across differences.”
Programming, which started at 8:45 a.m, included a keynote speaker, Dr. Timothy McCarthy, service and educational workshops, and time for dorm conversations.
Dr. Timothy McCarthy is an award-winning scholar, educator, and human rights activist who teaches at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he was the school’s first openly gay faculty member, and at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. McCarthy was co-recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal from Former President Barack Obama and a founding member of Mr. Obama’s National LGBT Leadership Council.
After Dr. McCarthy spoke, students engaged in workshops led by students, staff, and faculty members. Before MLK Day, students were asked to rank their choices of programs, so they could be placed in workshops that reflected their interests. There were a total of 17 workshop options this year, including options for those interested in food: “Southern Cooking as a Model for Democracy,” led by Ms. Beth Smithey, head of the science department, and “Shrimp and Grits Demonstration,” led by Ms. Denee Hinman, resident district manager at CulinArt, and dining services chefs.
Other courses spanned topics drawn from history, literature, athletics, and world languages and cultures. These included workshops such as “Should the Constitution be Scrapped?”, led by Mx. Emma Wynn, instructor in history, philosophy, and religion; “Ni de aquí, ni de allá: Linguistic and Cultural and Racial Code Switching,” by Spanish instructors Ms. Carmen Dockery and Mr. Alexander Forero; and “Safe, Seen, and Supported,” by Mr. Dave Thompson, director of international programs.
Two workshops were held by outside speakers. Dr. McCarthy led “Becoming B.R.A.V.E.: Communicating with Courage, Leading with Integrity,” a workshop focused on communicating with courage and leading with integrity. This workshop was only available to upper class students.
Dr. Gretchen Goldman led “Science and Democracy: What should the role of scientists be in our democracy?” Dr. Goldman is an American environmental scientist, policy advocate, and president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Bluenotes, Calliope, and other student musicians traveled to Noble Horizons, a senior community, to perform for residents.
This year, MLK day programs were a way for students to honor the impact Martin Luther King Jr. had on the country, while learning about community and democracy in American history and in the present day.
