GW’s Statement on Diversity and Inclusion states, “As individuals and as an institution, we must intentionally act to create the diverse and inclusive community that enables everyone to flourish. All members of units of the George Washington University community must advance the institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority.”
As part of that commitment to diversity and inclusion, the university community sponsored and engaged in a successful and meaningful salute to the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) from January 15-31.
The MLK Week Planning Committee, which included the Honey Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, Human Resources, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and the Multicultural Student Services Center, invited faculty, staff and students to submit proposals for panels, papers and interactive presentations broadly related to the life and legacy of MLK. The committee was seeking proposals that reflect the best thinking in the field, informed by theory, research, and practice and were cognizant of issues of diversity and inclusion.
The result was a varied, dynamic series of events sponsored by the Black Graduate Students Association, LGBT Resource Center, Mental Health Services, Art Therapy Program, Department of Religion, Program in Judaic Studies, Department of American Studies, Allied in Pride, Association of Queer Women and Allies, Program in Africana Studies, Speakers of the House and the MLK Planning committee. Audiences participated in service activities and heard thought-provoking, heartfelt and fascinating speeches, films, plays, lectures and presentations that carried on the legacy of the great Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Messages from the Mountaintop kicked off King Week. During that event, members of the GW community shared the wisdom and spirit of MLK to passersby through the public reading of King’s letters, sermons and speeches. Over 50 people signed up to read!
Over 800 students, staff, faculty and community members participated in MLK Day of Service and Leadership development, and interfaith dialogue. After hearing from Stacey Stewart, president of United Way the keynote speaker, participants went out into the DC community to serve.
In an event called Beyond MLK’s Dream: LGBTQIA Civil Rights Leaders, light was shed on the crucial role of LGBTQIA activists and leaders during the civil rights movement. Panelists included Bennett Singer, Producer/Director of Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, Mandy Carter, National Coordinator of the NBJC Bayard Rustin Commemoration Project and Ashley Ison who received her Bachelor’s in African American studies from Yale University.
In The Movement, Award-winning actor Ron Jones wove the tapestry of struggle and triumph, inspiring us with a visual chronicle highlighting many of the political, social, and cultural markers of the 50 years since the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
The Speakers of the House, GW's only spoken word collective, hosted an MLK Open Mic Night. The theme of the event was "Social Acceptance", and all were invited to tell their stories, personal or otherwise, involving struggles and triumphs of being accepted for who you are.
After an introduction from Dean of Students and Vice Provost, Dr. Peter Konwerski, participants attended a screening of the film Dear White People. Following the screening, there was a facilitated discussion by Dr. Daniel Martinez, GW professor of sociology and interim director of the Cisneros Hispanic Institute, focusing on campus climate for students of color and how the climate relates to mental health and well-being.
GW Professor of Art Therapy, Dr. Jordan Potash, presented Provoking Creative Tension, Sustaining Beloved Community: Application of King’s Legacy for Socially Engaged Community Arts. Professor Potash described how how King’s tenets of nonviolent resistance (soul force, drum major instinct, creative tension, beloved community) were used as the foundation for a community arts project focused on mental health stigma. Here, you can listen to the lecture and see the presentation. The lecture was followed by a tour of the Textile Museum.
Hands Up, an award wining film, directed by GW Presidential Administrative Fellow, Zinhle Essamuah (GW '15/'17), captured the spirit of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, from Ferguson to Baltimore. Following the documentary, Cheryl Thompson, Associate Professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs, moderated a panel discussion and Q&A with the filmmaker and Ferguson community organizers.
Jews and African-Americans: A Story of Hope, was the last King Week event. There was a screening of Rosenwald, a film that explores the extraordinary life of Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932), a Jewish philanthropist who helped build over 5,000 schools for African-Americans in the segregated South several decades before the civil rights movement. The screening was followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, Aviva Kempner.
This year’s celebration was truly university wide and the King Week Planning committee extends a hearty thank you to all those that attended and that took the time to contribute to the success of the King Week programming.
If you are intersted in continuing to collaborate to make the George Washington University a diverse and inclusive community, please reach out to the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.