Acadia students organize tribute to King

By Patty Mintz

NovaNewsNow.com

Friday, April 4, 2008 is just beginning, but political science student Stan Beland is pumped with positive energy.

“I’m really excited. We already have members of the community out and there’s definitely some buzz around,” says Beland, one of a number of students who worked to create a day of events to recognize the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

“We’re happy for the support we’re getting and we’re looking forward to a really good day,” Beland said.

King was shot to death on April 4, 1968 on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was supporting striking sanitation workers, considered some of the poorest of the city's working poor. His presence further reinforced his already powerful reputation as a civil rights leader devoted to racial equality and economic justice.

Political science professor Dr. Michael Dennis says, at the time, King saw the U.S. as failing to live up to its most fundamental democratic principles by fomenting racism, poverty and the participation in the Vietnam War.

Dennis opened the day of recognition at Acadia with comments on the meaning of the civil rights movement. Speaking in the auditorium at the K.C. Irving Environmental Health Science Centre, he described 1968 as “the year in which the United States is torn apart,” by the Vietnam War and the frustrations of civil rights activists. “It was a divisive year and made more turbulent by 1967,” when massive riots in Detroit and Newark added to a growing sense of hopelessness. “That’s the background for (King’s) frustration….and the background for understanding Dr. King and his decision to arrive in Memphis to lend his support to (striking) janitors who had no representation and (faced) an incredibly hostile municipality.”

Reflected on legacy

Students then took turns reflecting on King’s legacy and reading excerpts from a number of his speeches and letters while black and white still photos of King, Robert Kennedy, and other leaders and events tied to America’s civil rights movement were projected on-screen.

The morning’s agenda also featured a mini-film festival led by the docu-comedy, “Qallunaat! Why White People Are Funny” -- described as a humbling portrait of what it must feel like to be the object of the white man’s gaze from the perspective of the Inuit” -- and “Wind Spirit,” the story of the Miawpukek crew who cross the Cabot Strait in a birch canoe to reconnect to ancient rites, territories and traditions.

Senator Barack Obama’s recent speech, “A More Perfect Union” and the renowned documentary, At the River I Stand, an account of the two months leading up to King’s death on April 4, 1968 were also presented.

Mi’kmaq activist Carolyn Landry and her sister opened the evening’s events in the centre’s garden room by performing a Mi’kmaq honour song, which was followed by poetry readings, an open mike, and performances by human rights activist Denise Allen, hip-hop artist Iz Real, and Rage Against Injustice.

During a “Community Voices” segment, members of the community were invited to talk about their vision of a just society.

Beland said the idea for the tribute evolved after Allen visited the university in March to give a presentation on environmental racism.

“The next day, (Political Science professor Dr. Cynthia Alexander) wanted us to sit down with Denise (for discussion). We started talking about music and she suggested a concert outside the context of class to raise awareness of Africville, Linconville and North Preston,” and issues effecting these communities. “It grew from that. We started talking and it snowballed. Initially we chose a day for a film and a concert with Denise, but it grew into a full day of films, talking and music.”

Examine racial realities

Alexander says the decision to include Canada’s aboriginal cultures was a natural. “My students sat around the table and (discussed), based on King’s legacy, how can we not acknowledge the injustices perpetrated on the Inuit, the Mi’kmaq and their struggles for identity in an era of assimilation?”

What better time to examine the racial realities of today and explore what King’s legacy means to contemporary Canadians, suggested Alexander. “People have asked, ‘why a celebration on the anniversary of King’s assassination?’ It is about that dream, that shared legacy, coming together to consider our shared vision as citizens around the world and our own nation state.”

Allen views the students’ initiative as important. “When you see the next generation isn’t going to tolerate actions that place indigenous black communities at a disadvantage, I’m extremely excited about our future.”

Political science students Chris LeBlanc and James Oh videotaped activities of the day and will post the completed documentary on a website they are creating.

Later in the week, Beland reflected on the day’s success.

“It went really well. The turnout for the films was a little less than anticipated….but the evening event had a great turnout, 60-70 people.”

Beland said the Rev. Martin Luther King initiative is an example of what can happen when students are encouraged to move beyond the borders of a traditional classroom setting.

“It’s (professor Alexander’s) specialty. She gets us out of the classroom and opens our eyes to the fact that the community is an important part of what she’s teaching us.”