• Home
  • Campus
    • Academics
    • Greek Life
    • SGA
    • Student Life
  • State/Local
    • Around Town
    • Board of Regents
    • National
    • Pierre
    • Vermillion City Council
    • Vermillion Police Department
  • Sports
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Men’s Basketball
    • Soccer
    • Swimming/Diving
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Women’s Basketball
  • Verve
    • Feature
    • Diversity
    • Events
    • CAB
    • The Vault
  • Opinion
  • E-Edition
  • COVID-19
The Volante
The Volante
  • Home
  • Campus
    • Academics
    • Greek Life
    • SGA
    • Student Life
  • State/Local
    • Around Town
    • Board of Regents
    • National
    • Pierre
    • Vermillion City Council
    • Vermillion Police Department
  • Sports
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Men’s Basketball
    • Soccer
    • Swimming/Diving
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Women’s Basketball
  • Verve
    • Feature
    • Diversity
    • Events
    • CAB
    • The Vault
  • Opinion
  • E-Edition
  • COVID-19
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
CDC celebrates MLK through literatureEvents
Laura Chandler, director of the Center for Diversity and Community, hosted the first event of a weeklong celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. At the event Tuesday night students and staff read written works by famous Civil Rights activists. Aaron Mercado | The Volante
Home
Verve
Events

CDC celebrates MLK through literature

January 22nd, 2019 Molly Sperlich Events, Verve comments

Share this story

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was nationally celebrated on Monday and USD students were given the opportunity to understand the significance behind the holiday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Spoken Word event on Tuesday night.

This event kicked off the Center for Diversity and Community’s (CDC) weeklong celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. The event was designed to celebrate the written words of famous Civil Rights activists, as well as allow students to share their personal narratives.

Laura Chandler, director of the CDC, hosted the event. Eight students and staff members of the CDC read the works of Martin Luther King Jr., Alice Walker, Margaret Walker, Ella Baker and more.

“She (Alice Walker) broadened the women’s movement to include women of color and appreciate their traditional, cultural and creative roles,” Chandler said.

Teagan McNary is a senior majoring in political science and criminal justice. She said the purpose of this event was to educate people and allow them a space to remember the teachings in the words of Martin Luther King Jr.

“I think far too often people aren’t exposed to this in the way they could be,” McNary said. “It’s a way to educate; it’s a way to bring people together, and I think it’s a way to remember that this time period in our history was really not that long ago.”

McNary read a work written by activist Margaret Walker because of its powerful message.

“I think it speaks to a lot of people, especially at that time,” she said.

Senior biology major Santini Lokonobei read an original piece she had written two years ago for Black History Month.

“The theme for that year was fine arts, so I wanted to touch on poetry,” Lokonobei said.

The piece was written from Lokonobei’s perspective during her youth. Lokonobei grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D., but spent most of her childhood in Nashville, Tenn.

Transitioning from a mostly black neighborhood to a primarily white neighborhood, Lokonobei grappled with her self-identity.

“There are some things I would see on T.V. and in society that would make me question, am I beautiful?” she said.

The poem titled “Playing in the Dirt” was Lokonobei’s opinion on her mom’s perspective about the expectations of women. She said being surrounded by her friends in the audience made it easier for her to share her poem.

“When I would look out into the audience and see some faces I don’t know, I would get a quiver in my voice, and I would realize I was exposing myself,” she said. “Even though I wrote it two years ago, I did feel a bit shaky and nervous.”

The Center for Community and Diversity will host events all week to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

Share this story

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest

Molly Sperlich

Molly Sperlich is a junior at the University of South Dakota double-majoring in Media & Journalism and English.

Related Posts

AWOL offers alternative spring break to students Events
February 23rd, 2021

AWOL offers alternative spring break to students

Rachel Review: Must Watch Docuseries Review
February 22nd, 2021

Rachel Review: Must Watch Docuseries

Symphonic Band performs music with a message Events
February 22nd, 2021

Symphonic Band performs music with a message

Facebook Comments

Latest Stories

Feb 24th 2:49 PM
Sports

Women’s basketball win over Oral Roberts with 21-point advantage

Feb 24th 2:44 PM
Campus

USD Uniting Students Through Athletics

Feb 24th 2:40 PM
Campus

VHS gears up for spring athletics

Feb 24th 2:38 PM
Sports

A.J. Plitzuweit makes two free throws for win against Oral Roberts

Feb 24th 2:34 PM
Campus

Coyotes sweep NDSU over weekend series

Feb 24th 2:28 PM
Sports

Training in it so they can play in it

Feb 24th 2:12 PM
Sports

Volleyball decides to keep masks off the court

Feb 23rd 9:50 PM
Campus

SGA hosts deputy athletic director

Feb 23rd 2:10 PM
Opinion

Amendment A should be a must-watch decision for South Dakotans

Feb 23rd 1:57 PM
Verve

AWOL offers alternative spring break to students

Weather

Coyote News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K7ERfZmFOg

Advertisement

  • Home
  • Campus
  • State/Local
  • Sports
  • Verve
  • Opinion
  • E-Edition
  • COVID-19
  • Back to top

The Volante

The Volante is the University of South Dakota’s independent student-run newspaper since 1887. Al Neuharth Media Center The Volante 555 N. Dakota Street Vermillion, SD 57069

Advertisement

About

  • About
  • Code of Ethics
  • History
  • Awards
  • Executive Staff
  • Jobs
  • Comment Policy
  • Advertise

Engage

  • Letters to the Editor
  • Contact Us
  • Submit an Overheard
  • Subscribe
  • Submit News Tips

Media Partners

  • Coyote News
  • KAOR 91.1
  • Media & Journalism Department
© The Volante 2015. All rights reserved.