Archives

Longwood University Plans Week of Activities in Observance of MLK Jr. Day

   Written by on January 22, 2015 at 2:13 pm

Longwood University has planned a week of activities in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Planned and carried out in partnership with the Robert Russa Moton Museum, the full week of activities are symbolic of the relationship that is being forged between the two prominent learning institutions that have existed in such close proximity in Farmville. The activities that are scheduled for the week began on Monday, January 19th with the “MLK Service Challenge.” The MLK Service Challenge is set up for
moton 2 MKL pixLongwood Students to volunteer their time performing community service throughout Farmville. Afterwards, the students gathered at the Moton Museum to discuss their experiences during the day of community service. Estimates are that nearly 200 students participated in the challenge on Monday. The Moton Auditorium filled with conversation Monday afternoon as many students shared the day’s events. Other students, some of whom had never been inside of the museum, took the time to investigate the landmark building with both interest and awe, as the large displays, pictures and quotes on the walls drove home the history that it represents. “I’ve been at Longwood for three years and I have never even been in here,” one student mused as he looked at the pictures in the tarpaper shack mockup built behind the stage, “I knew it was here, I just never came.” Glancing out of the doors at the University just visible in the distance, he voiced a realization of the moment, “This place is just up the street.”

On Tuesday, January 20, at 6:00p.m. the Moton Museum hosted an MLK oratorical competition sponsored by Longwood. In keeping with the theme of the week, the subject was  “One community: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Attendance was light for the event. There was only one contestant who spoke; however, his speech
was eloquent and captivating. It was captivating enough, in fact, to spark an impromptu roundtable type discussion among the audience members. For nearly 45 minutes an open, interesting dialog transpired between the Longwood students, professors, and Farmville residents that had attended the function. They turned their chairs to face each other in a circle in the middle of the old auditorium. The conversation prompted Justin Reid, assistant director of the museum, to bring out and pass the “talking stick” as participants took the floor in their turn to speak.  Recurring, underlying concerns among the students: “What more can we [the University] do to apologize or make reparations for our behavior during the civil rights era?” and “Now that this affiliation between the Moton Museum and Longwood University has been established, how do we go about nurturing and maintaining it?” As the conversation went on, it explored the understanding of the enormous scope of the term diversity as it applies to today’s ever growing and changing society. Some time was spent on the history of the school and the civil rights era, leading to the realization that the history is still alive in the memories of those residents that live in the Farmville area today. The opportunity for learning is as easy as reaching into the community, creating a relationship or making a friend. The discussion wound its way through topics including Longwood’s Board of Visitors formal resolution issued in September of last year expressing regret for the University’s actions during the civil rights era. The group spoke of the associated scholarship program, and a number of other intriguing topics. The discussion was stimulating, and it showed without a doubt the potential for growth that an affiliation between the institutions holds for them both and the town they reside in, as well. The sincere hope is that discussions such as the one Tuesday night continue.

On Thursday at Jarman Hall, Tim Wise, author of the nationally acclaimed memoir, “White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son,” will appear as keynote speaker for the evening. The well-known anti-racism essayist and educator’s topic will be “Resurrecting Apartheid, from Fergeson to the Voting Booth to the Border—Combating Racism in the Post- Obama Era.”

Concluding the week’s MLK observance, on Friday evening the Moton Museum will host Common Ties: A Night of Reflection and Celebration. This will be a black tie optional reception and silent auction allowing Longwood University and the Farmville community to come together in honor of the civil rights movement and give the opportunity to solidify the bond between the University, the Museum and the community in which both reside. There will also be live, local entertainment. Tickets will be $10.00 each or $18.00 for couples. For more information or to purchase tickets go to the Moton Museum website at: www.motonmuseum.org/calendar/

Leave a Reply