Kiley Wellendorf | News Co-Editor
Buena Vista University (BVU) celebrated Black History Month with a special ACES event planned around a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. The event was held in Anderson Auditorium, lasting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday evening.
Moby’s “Flower” played throughout the auditorium as the ceremony kicked off with a presentation featuring images, audio clips, and videos of prominent African-Americans from past and present. Transitioning away from “Flower,” the slideshow began playing a number from Explosions in the Sky, creating a hushed-tone throughout the auditorium.
The keynote of the night was Dr. Jennifer Harbour, a Black Studies professor for the University of Omaha (UNO). Harbour presented a slideshow on different aspects of the Emancipation Proclamation, and spoke about the settlement before the famous, “I Have a Dream” speech. Harbour shared graphic images of training methods used for preparing activists for strikes, as well as common acts of violence that were portrayed amongst those who stood up for themselves.
Madison Mae Theisen, a fourth grader from Alta-Aurelia, took the stage after the presentation and shared her version of the “I Have a Dream” speech. Her speech was recognized for an award, and in it, she shared facts about Martin Luther King Jr. that most individuals aren’t aware of. (“Did you know Martin Luther King JR. smoked?,”etc.)
The Storm Lake Middle School Choir preformed two songs directly after, singing pieces from Rollo Dillsworths, “Justice” and also “Lean on Me/We Shall Overcome,” by Mark Hayes. The group of students were met by the roar of the crowd after their performance, and Carol Williams congratulated the singers on their performance.
Carol Williams announced the reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech done by a variety of students featuring different ethnic backgrounds and speaking in different languages. Each student read a specific section of the speech in a different language, and all students came together at the end and spoke as one. Following this speech, a traditional dance was performed by BVU students from both Rwanda and Burundi.
Following this dance, a traditional Navajo song was performed by Trayston Gordy. Gordy performed a song called “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and also a traditional social justice song.
The ceremony wrapped up with an address from Dr. Harbour, who addressed the importance of where individuals fit in and what they can do, a spoken word experience of “Children of Africa” performed by Rwandan and Burundi students, and finally a Pledge of Nonviolence from Carol Williams.
Those who attended the ceremony were encouraged to finish the night by signing a Pledge of Nonviolence directly outside Anderson Auditorium.
Photo and videos courtesy of Krystal Schulte
