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From the head

The week started with our traditional "day on" celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. First, students from the senior Government class, Caleb '24, Jahmir '24, and Doan '24, did presentations about Dr. King's life and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. The community then viewed the "I Have a Dream" speech. Students and faculty then split up into their Discovery Groups to view some of the following films:

  • Remember the Titans
  • Do the Right Thing
  • Glory Road
  • Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre
  • High on the Hog: The Defiance
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In the wrap-up meeting later in the day, students from each group came up to the podium and shared their learning from the day. So many of the comments resonated with both the students and adults in the room:

 

"I learned that we need to read people by their soul rather than the color of their skin."
"Sports is a powerful vehicle to unite people, both those playing the sport and those watching it."
"It was interesting to see young people solve problems on their team without adults having to step in."
"Violence is never the answer."
"Doing the right thing is an ongoing challenge no matter what the consequences are."
"Being a person of faith can help one find courage."
"We are all the sum of our stories."

 

At the beginning of the day, we had posed the following questions about what we would say if we were able to talk to Dr. King. We finished our wrap-up by sharing our answers, some of which are included below.

 

What would you ask him?

"Dr. King, you talked about judging people by the content of their character. How would you go after that goal today?

"How did you believe enough in yourself to be such a leader to others?

What would you tell him?

"What you did made a difference even though the struggles are still so great."

What would you thank him for?

"I would thank him for his belief about what might be possible."

 

Many schools honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by taking a day off. Here, it has always been a "day on" to remember how one individual can truly make a difference.

 

Laura D. Gauld '76

Archive: From the Head