{"id":9843,"date":"2019-02-04T15:28:37","date_gmt":"2019-02-04T21:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=9843"},"modified":"2019-03-18T12:21:30","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T17:21:30","slug":"dyson-delivers-strong-message-to-white-america-during-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-address","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/dyson-delivers-strong-message-to-white-america-during-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-address\/","title":{"rendered":"Dyson Delivers Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Address"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michael Eric Dyson, a Georgetown University sociology professor, a New York Times<\/em> contributing opinion writer and a contributing editor of The New Republic as well as for ESPN’s The Undefeated website, recently delivered the 2019 address for Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPP\u2019s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.<\/p>\n

Dyson delivered a powerful message encouraging whites to awaken to black suffering. \u201cWe are living through one of the most vicious resurgences of racial hostility, white nationalism and white supremacy in the history of this country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In his plea for change, Dyson reminded attendees of the work accomplished during the civil rights movement thanks to leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. He shared learning about the assassination of King as a nine-year-old boy in Detroit. The news coverage sparked a passion for racial and social justice in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must be concerned about, and pay attention to, the issue of race in America,\u201d Dyson said. \u201cIt makes a difference for us to fight for justice, to make sure barriers are lowered, impediments are removed and obstacles eradicated so people are allowed to exist freely in their own bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dyson argued the only way to achieve a socially just America is by embracing our differences. \u201cAmerica at its best is about the teaming, bustling diversity that makes us all uncomfortable,\u201d he said. \u201cWe must make a space and place for every religion, identity and understanding of the world in which we live.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event also featured guest moderator Rebeccah Bennett, founder and principal of Emerging Wisdom, a St. Louis organization that designs and facilitates personal and professional growth programs. Bennett challenged attendees to cast a vision for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we talk about America, we are not talking about a disembodied collective,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are America. You are America. What will animate, sustain and excite you through the course of your life and get you to do the heavy lifting, to do the work that others shy away from?\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, Dyson met with members of the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPcommunity during his daylong visit. Events included a book signing and reception hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPstudents, faculty, staff and alumni enjoyed the opportunity to meet and speak with Dyson.<\/p>\n

Dyson also participated in a faculty and staff book discussion around his recent work \u201cTears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America.\u201d Over the last two years, Mary Ellen Finch, PhD, senior associate for the Finch Center for Teaching and Learning, and Destiny Reddick, PhD, assistant dean for the school of education, have hosted small book group discussions for faculty and staff using the title. The popular and well-attended book groups helped build a diverse campus community that values inclusiveness.<\/p>\n

For students who missed the event, Turan Mullins, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion, sat down with Dyson to discuss what young people can do to improve race relations on the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPcampus and in their own personal communities.<\/p>\n