On the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration, the energy in Memorial Chapel on Monday night was extraordinary as students, alumni, faculty, and community members gathered to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Jaime Nolan, associate dean for diversity and director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies, said it best in her opening address, "Who better than the poet to express this moment?"
Using rhythm, speech and a whole lot of soul, award-winning Def Poets Joe Hernandez-Kolski, Beau Sia, and Saul Williams inspired the audience with their pieces about hope, racism, and the overcoming of obstacles.
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Students at Memorial Chapel take part in one of several events held Monday to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. (Photo by Andy Daddio)
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Yasmin Mannan '12, who was part of Colgate's Poetically Minded performance, was awed by the evening's events..
"To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. on the night before the inauguration of Obama in the presence of Saul Williams was epic," Mannan said.
The Def Poets were not the only ones inspiring those in attendance.
Charlotte Johnson, vice president and dean of the college, encouraged students to exit their comfort zone in order to make constructive and dedicated coalitions.
"We can't all be King but we can all be leaders in our own way and we can all be an influence," remarked Johnson.
This idea was touched on earlier in the day as students who had attended the 2009 National Black Student Leadership Development Conference facilitated a workshop titled, "Ordinary People Equipped for Extraordinary Leadership: We Will Change the World."
Keeping in theme with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the students discussed how leaders need to be catalysts for change, rather than recipients.
Their experiences at the conference prompted the students to return to campus with ideas on how to increase student attendance at events, the necessity of becoming fiscally responsible, and ways to create a more open relationship between the Black Student Union, Latin American Student Organization, and other student organizations.
Other discussion sessions on Monday focused on race relations, white privilege, and a campus climate survey.