It was a windy night for a candlelight vigil. Even though the candles would not stay lit, the assembled group marched proudly around campus, singing songs while commemorating the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Monday vigil began a week of events celebrating MLK.
“The candlelight vigil and march are a symbolic representation of the light that leads the way to peace, justice and equality and the marches which took place during the Civil Rights Movement,” said Danette Thierry, an economics junior.
People of many ethnicities, races, genders and backgrounds showed up to participate in the night’s events.
“I was very satisfied with the [attendance] for this event,” said Jason Wesley, a finance junior. “I expect for the next two weeks’ events to be larger and more diverse.”
Following the vigil, event organizers held a panel discussion forum on controversial topics concerning the African-American community, such as voting rights and voter turnout, school desegregation, church, family, community, politics and student involvement.
On the panel were Rev. Lionel Johnson, pastor of the Greater Ebenzeer Baptist Church; Herman Kelly, Jr., an instructor of African and African-American studies; Wayne Parent, department of political science chair; Melody Robinson, NAACP president; and Patricia Smith, an East Baton Rouge School Board member.
The discussion on voting rights and voter turnout brought up a heated discussion concerning why African Americans have such a low voter turnout and prompted proposed solutions to that issue.
Students said they felt empowered by the panel discussions and added their input about issues such as community and family.
“I firmly believe in the word ‘Sankofa,’ which means to know your past, to live in the present for the future,” said Shayla Ferguson, a sociology junior. “Our objective as leaders should be to teach the youth about the movement and what part they or others played in the movement in order for the youth to learn the significance and be encouraged to fight for further advances.”
Brandon Smith, a political science sophomore, emphasized student involvement on campus and in the community and also the importance of diversity to people outside of the African-American community.
Others said the discussion on the church affected them in a powerful way.
“I did not realize the strength the church has in the community,” said Jeff Landrum, a geology senior.
Shuflonda Gipson, a kinesiology senior, and Thierry, event organizers for the MLK candlelight vigil, said the event was very successful.
“We are so excited that the community showed up and was involved in the candlelight vigil and march,” Thierry said. “We are especially glad about the large student turnout and involvement in the panel discussion.”