2022 - MLK Week Commemorative Experience

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Author

02/22/2022 Added

34 Plays

Description

MLK Commemoration was held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. The program featured a Moderated Conversation with Lisa Ling, and the awarding of the annual Chancellor’s “Fulfilling the Dream” Award.

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[00:00:01.220](melodic music begins)
[00:00:04.480]As we look at the ways in which we can improve
[00:00:08.100]our systems and preserve our planet,
[00:00:12.290]it falls to our teaching institutions
[00:00:15.790]to digest and synthesize how the actions of the past
[00:00:21.130]must inform the path forward.
[00:00:25.400]Instead of lurching along following the latest headlines.
[00:00:30.720]An intentional acknowledgement of the peoples who have
[00:00:34.610]stewarded the resources, understood the connectedness,
[00:00:38.660]and shared their wisdom to create our American culture
[00:00:43.750]is more than a sentimental nod to a vanished way of life.
[00:00:47.840]Neither is at the hallmark of a leftist plot
[00:00:50.940]to redistribute resources.
[00:00:53.430]We must truly understand and value the contributions
[00:00:58.810]all of us have made over time
[00:01:03.360]to stand at this place
[00:01:05.970]of infinite power and technology. So that we do make
[00:01:11.050]the right choices going forward.
[00:01:15.060]We want to acknowledge that the built environment
[00:01:18.410]of this institution, the University of Nebraska
[00:01:22.140]rests on the traditional lands of the Ponca,
[00:01:24.940]the Omaha, Winnebago, Dakota and Oto peoples
[00:01:29.420]past and present. And honor with gratitude,
[00:01:33.070]the land itself and the people who have stewarded it
[00:01:36.660]throughout the generations.
[00:01:38.930]This calls us to commit to work in partnership
[00:01:43.050]with our indigenous peoples, continuing to learn
[00:01:46.750]how to be better stewards of the land
[00:01:49.330]we now inhabit as well.
[00:01:52.030]I thank you for hearing my words.
[00:01:54.600]If I have inadvertently misspoken,
[00:01:57.230]I beg my elders forgiveness.
[00:01:59.572](speaking foreign language)
[00:02:09.989](soft instrumental music playing)
[00:02:13.554]Welcome to the 2022, MLK Commemorative Celebration.
[00:02:18.210]This year's theme, borrows its inspiration
[00:02:20.730]from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
[00:02:23.897]"When the problems of the world
[00:02:25.410]are gigantic and extent and chaotic in detail,
[00:02:29.060]give us the power of endurance."
[00:02:32.450]The theme was designed to highlight a year of historic
[00:02:35.410]social movements and community action.
[00:02:38.220]From an ongoing global health pandemic
[00:02:40.510]to social unrest that has sparked
[00:02:42.290]conversations and movements across the globe.
[00:02:45.100]The calls for equity and inclusion resonate loudly
[00:02:48.490]throughout the nation.
[00:02:50.140]Locally and nationally,
[00:02:52.390]we've experienced several efforts designed to ignite action,
[00:02:56.660]honor our history and encourage conversation.
[00:03:00.870]These include commemorating the first nationally recognized
[00:03:05.530]observances of Juneteenth and Indigenous People's Day.
[00:03:09.670]And a federal advisory initiative on Asian Americans,
[00:03:13.870]Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
[00:03:17.320]At Nebraska, we identified seven grand challenges,
[00:03:22.110]positioning the university to think bigger
[00:03:25.700]and more strategically about complex problems,
[00:03:29.530]and to bring solutions to serve the greater good.
[00:03:33.130]Two of these challenges,
[00:03:34.830]anti-racism and racial equity, and health equity
[00:03:39.150]call for a deeper examination of systemic issues
[00:03:42.550]that we can connect to today's event.
[00:03:45.530]Here at Nebraska,
[00:03:46.990]we are committed to safeguarding equity,
[00:03:49.240]inclusion and respect for all through our ongoing
[00:03:52.880]commitment towards engaging in difficult dialogue,
[00:03:56.040]equity based actions and inclusive excellence.
[00:03:59.990]This calls for us to reflect on our achievements
[00:04:02.670]in advancing inclusive excellence,
[00:04:04.800]while being equally committed, to engaging in practices,
[00:04:07.900]designed to educate, rejuvenate and validate.
[00:04:12.170]Each year, we commemorate the legacy of Dr. King
[00:04:15.240]through an annual celebration honoring his life while
[00:04:18.750]recognizing members of our campus and community whose work
[00:04:22.370]epitomizes the legacy and work of the civil rights leader.
[00:04:26.390]This year, we seek to reinforce UNL's commitment
[00:04:30.160]to diversity, equity and inclusion in several ways.
[00:04:34.720]The Chancellors, Fulfilling the Dream Award will honor those
[00:04:38.160]whose personal and professional work demonstrates
[00:04:40.890]extraordinary and sustained dedication to these ideals.
[00:04:45.600]We'll share words of affirmation
[00:04:48.010]through members of our campus community.
[00:04:50.730]We'll enjoy stunning performances led by our talented
[00:04:54.180]students. And finally, a moderated conversation
[00:04:58.180]features renowned journalist and author, Lisa Ling.
[00:05:02.040]We hope today's event provides insight into national and
[00:05:05.340]local leaders engaged in the work of social justice
[00:05:08.510]and community service, highlighting and inspiring
[00:05:11.850]intentional action for our Husker family.
[00:05:15.130]We invite our campus and community to contribute to the
[00:05:19.170]ongoing path towards equity and inclusion,
[00:05:22.420]through reflection and rejuvenation.
[00:05:25.520]During today's commemorative celebration,
[00:05:27.790]we invite you to reflect on ways you can engage
[00:05:31.080]in honoring the legacy of Dr. King,
[00:05:33.690]while connecting with our university's
[00:05:35.600]events and initiatives.
[00:05:38.230]We encourage education surrounding the power of endurance,
[00:05:42.520]and we hope you'll continue your own individual action
[00:05:45.550]through service and connection with organizations,
[00:05:48.170]services and leaders, both on and off campus.
[00:05:52.540]Thank you for joining the 2022,
[00:05:54.740]Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.
[00:05:57.960]Thank you for joining us.
[00:06:07.240]On behalf of the MLK Week Planning Committee,
[00:06:10.090]thank you again for joining us for our annual
[00:06:12.380]Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.
[00:06:15.520]We hope the conversation with Lisa ling proved to be
[00:06:18.600]enlightening, informative, and action oriented.
[00:06:22.900]We know that our roles in uplifting and honoring the life of
[00:06:25.840]Dr. King can be transformative and impactful for all.
[00:06:31.420]The MLK Week Planning Committee is led
[00:06:33.950]by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
[00:06:36.380]And includes dedicated committee members
[00:06:38.950]from the Chancellor's Commission on the Status
[00:06:41.000]of People of Color, institutional equity and compliance,
[00:06:45.270]student leadership involvement and community engagement,
[00:06:49.430]Institute for Ethnic Studies,
[00:06:51.840]Carson's School of Theater and Film,
[00:06:54.260]the Lied Center, the University Program Council ,
[00:06:57.720]and student committee members
[00:06:59.110]representing ASUN, African People's Union,
[00:07:02.950]Asian Student Union, Black Student Union,
[00:07:06.860]Mexican American Student Association,
[00:07:09.730]National Panhellenic Council,
[00:07:11.820]and the University of Nebraska Inter-Tribal Exchange.
[00:07:15.650]In the development of this year's
[00:07:17.070]commemorative celebration, the committee,
[00:07:19.500]worked diligently to identify opportunities
[00:07:23.090]for a week long celebration that highlighted
[00:07:26.620]the individual and collective roles we all can play
[00:07:30.680]in advancing equity, justice, and inclusion at UNL.
[00:07:35.760]Thank you.
[00:07:38.853](crowd clapping)
[00:07:52.680]On behalf of the university libraries,
[00:07:55.000]we stand proud and committed to inclusive excellence
[00:07:58.800]at Nebraska. And of this year's ML King
[00:08:02.600]Commemorative Celebration and week.
[00:08:05.500]As dedicated collaborators
[00:08:07.770]in the pursuit of inclusive excellence at our university,
[00:08:11.470]we work diligently to ensure our work in practice
[00:08:15.440]reflect the principles of inclusivity... Excuse me.
[00:08:21.700]While we continuously seek evolving opportunities to create
[00:08:25.390]more equitable spaces for all members of our community.
[00:08:29.930]The library stands as firm supporters of diversity,
[00:08:33.980]equity and inclusion, proud to meet and support
[00:08:37.570]the vast needs of the community.
[00:08:40.070]I am delighted to present the first of two performances
[00:08:43.570]by Aurora Villarreal, a student from the
[00:08:47.760]Johnny Carson school of Theater and Film at UNL.
[00:08:52.730]Aurora will perform two poems.
[00:08:55.290]Aurora first offers "Exit," by Rita Dove,
[00:08:59.160]followed by, Lucille Clifton's poem,
[00:09:01.817]"Won't you celebrate with me."
[00:09:04.490]Both of these selections written by black poets,
[00:09:07.220]give insight into what it takes to endure
[00:09:10.130]when you are both non-white and women.
[00:09:18.277]"Exit," by Rita Dove.
[00:09:22.647]"Just when hope withers, the visa is granted.
[00:09:27.970]The door opens to a street like in the movies,
[00:09:31.600]clean of people of cats; except it is your street
[00:09:37.570]you are leaving. A visa has been granted,
[00:09:41.180]provisionally, a fretful word.
[00:09:45.520]The windows we have closed behind you
[00:09:48.540]are turning pink, doing what they do every dawn.
[00:09:55.060]Here it's gray.
[00:09:59.200]The door to the taxi cab waits.
[00:10:03.350]The suitcase, the saddest object in the world.
[00:10:09.370]Well, the world's open.
[00:10:13.300]And now through the windshield,
[00:10:15.330]the sky begins to blush.
[00:10:17.720]As you did when your mother told you
[00:10:20.110]what it took to be a woman in this life."
[00:10:27.237]"Won't you come celebrate with me," by Lucille Clifton.
[00:10:32.967]"Won't you celebrate with me
[00:10:35.560]what I have shaped into a kind of life?
[00:10:40.100]I had no model. Born in Babylon,
[00:10:45.050]both non-white and woman.
[00:10:48.670]What did I see to be except myself?
[00:10:52.460]I made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay,
[00:11:00.750]my one hand holding tight my other hand;
[00:11:05.960]come celebrate with me that every day,
[00:11:10.290]something has tried to kill me and has failed."
[00:11:19.128](crowd clapping)
[00:11:26.890]On behalf of Chancellor, Ronnie Green.
[00:11:29.700]I'd like to thank and acknowledge the MLK Week Committee
[00:11:33.490]and members of the university community
[00:11:35.450]who have organized our week of events,
[00:11:37.650]celebrating the legacy,
[00:11:39.290]of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
[00:11:43.600]The Chancellors, Fulfilling the Dream Award,
[00:11:45.540]is given to honor individuals who have contributed
[00:11:48.300]to the University of Nebraska Lincoln's community
[00:11:51.190]or to the wider Lincoln community by their
[00:11:53.880]exemplary action in promoting the goals and
[00:11:56.980]vision of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
[00:12:01.120]This past year, has been one of deep reflection,
[00:12:05.330]listening, dialogue, and figuring out
[00:12:09.200]what comes next for our nation and institution.
[00:12:14.000]Leaders in our broader community and on our campus
[00:12:17.810]have acknowledged that we must take real steps now
[00:12:20.850]to address social and systemic inequities
[00:12:23.760]in a history of exclusion. King talked about
[00:12:28.300]the fierce urgency of now.
[00:12:30.850]Today, we recognize two individuals who
[00:12:34.640]by their very actions are leaders
[00:12:37.270]who understand this urgency. Receiving the 2022,
[00:12:43.020]Campus, Fulfilling the Dream Award is Batool Ibrahim.
[00:12:47.390]Majoring in Political Science and Global Studies,
[00:12:50.310]Batool is President of the ASUN Student Government and
[00:12:53.770]serves as a student regent.
[00:12:56.030]She has a long history of student leadership and activism at
[00:12:59.220]UNL, and within our larger community,
[00:13:02.340]and works tirelessly to engage and inspire
[00:13:05.720]her fellow Huskers while advocating to university leaders
[00:13:09.200]on the imperativeness of diversity, equity and inclusion,
[00:13:13.967]and the shaping of policy and practice.
[00:13:17.800]As an example of her leadership last year,
[00:13:20.370]she helped launch the BSU Care Bags Program
[00:13:23.070]for the Lincoln community.
[00:13:25.790]Batool is an active member of the UNL's
[00:13:27.890]Student Support Services TRIO Scholars Program,
[00:13:31.350]which is a federally funded program that focuses on the
[00:13:34.410]retension and graduation of underrepresented scholars.
[00:13:39.070]As a participant of this program,
[00:13:41.020]she listens with heart and mind to the hopes, dreams,
[00:13:45.520]concerns, and worries of her fellow participants,
[00:13:49.020]as well as staff in order to create equitable opportunities
[00:13:52.970]for her peers on campus and within the community
[00:13:57.240]in providing leadership in the Black Lives Matter Movement,
[00:14:00.340]serving those impacted by the pandemic and increasing
[00:14:03.810]the awareness of sexual violence on college campuses.
[00:14:08.270]Batool demonstrates poise, intelligence, strength,
[00:14:13.000]integrity, encourage in taking a stand
[00:14:17.690]on some of the most challenging situations on our campus,
[00:14:21.360]and during our nation's history.
[00:14:24.490]According to Dr. King and I quote, "life's most persistent
[00:14:28.640]and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?"
[00:14:33.540]For Batool, the answer to that question is very simply,
[00:14:37.757]"to amplify and uplift student voices."
[00:14:42.550]Batools nominations emphasize her
[00:14:44.340]tremendous impact at UNL stating and I quote,
[00:14:48.187]"she's an individual who has the compassion, empathy,
[00:14:52.540]courage, and determination to advocate for those voices
[00:14:56.430]to make them count. And to create changes
[00:14:58.980]that will better the lives of others."
[00:15:02.120]Another nomination stated,
[00:15:04.057]"Batool embodies Gandhi's vision to
[00:15:06.477]'be the change that you wish to see in the world.'"
[00:15:10.550]She does this by utilizing five characteristics
[00:15:13.860]of a change agent. One, has the clear vision.
[00:15:17.630]Two, patient yet persistent.
[00:15:21.430]The third, asks tough questions.
[00:15:25.030]The fourth, knowledgeable and leads by example.
[00:15:28.700]And the fifth, creates strong relationships built on trust.
[00:15:34.880]Please join me in recognizing Batool Ibrahim.
[00:15:38.675](crowd clapping)
[00:15:45.710]Hello, first, I wanna thank the MLK Planning Committee
[00:15:49.330]for seeing me as deserving of this award.
[00:15:51.870]And I wanna thank my nominator
[00:15:53.490]who has opened so many doors for me, Dr. Joyce Lynn.
[00:15:58.460]This past weekend, I had the honor
[00:16:00.220]of spending my time in DC,
[00:16:01.990]learning about the principles of nonviolence
[00:16:04.040]that Martin Luther King employed as his life mission.
[00:16:07.270]I truly immersed in his way of life.
[00:16:09.350]Understanding that the fight for black liberation is a
[00:16:12.720]constant struggle. However, I miss this struggle MLK's
[00:16:17.300]teachings asked me, asked the world to understand that
[00:16:21.090]leadership and service is an ongoing commitment to love.
[00:16:25.130]And love my community, a love that has guided my leadership
[00:16:28.670]as the Black Student Union president.
[00:16:30.800]And now, as the Student Body president
[00:16:32.550]and Student Regent at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
[00:16:37.300]As I began writing this speech,
[00:16:39.040]I started to think about what this presidency
[00:16:41.560]has meant to me. And under what conditions
[00:16:44.380]I have been in to become the first Black Student
[00:16:46.500]Body president. To help you understand this,
[00:16:50.250]I would have to take you back to 2012.
[00:16:53.670]And tell you about Trayvon Martin, the first black death
[00:16:56.980]I would witness on national television.
[00:16:59.720]Then Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Alton Sterling,
[00:17:06.130]Breonna Taylor, Toyin Salau, Ahmaud Arbery.
[00:17:11.730]These are just a few names on a list way too long.
[00:17:15.330]There are names on this list I do not remember.
[00:17:18.060]There are names on this list that we do not know.
[00:17:21.000]These names play a key role in exposing
[00:17:23.710]the larger context of injustice and institutional racism
[00:17:28.540]that lives as a constant presence in the
[00:17:30.820]lives of black communities, in my community and in my life.
[00:17:36.800]It was within these conditions of constant trauma
[00:17:39.410]and pain that I have asked myself the urgent and persistent
[00:17:43.530]question of how can I fix this?
[00:17:46.410]What is my duty to my community?
[00:17:48.780]And how can I bring about this change?
[00:17:52.030]I found the answers to these questions during my time here
[00:17:54.760]at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
[00:17:57.380]I began to understand with Dr. Jiri,
[00:18:00.260]my first black educator, who introduced me
[00:18:02.630]to the writings of Audrey Lore and Alice Walker.
[00:18:05.900]Dr. Gwendolyn Combs, who has taught me to be unapologetic.
[00:18:09.770]Ms. Kelley King, who has taught me to
[00:18:11.580]never let anyone take my power.
[00:18:13.940]And the village of black women who have supported,
[00:18:16.380]uplifted, cared and loved me here at UNL.
[00:18:20.190]Who have taught me that the most important thing,
[00:18:25.576]every position I have held, will hold and can hold
[00:18:30.540]will only expand the capacity I have
[00:18:33.680]to serve others and to serve my community.
[00:18:36.350]And give them the love that they have gave me.
[00:18:39.490]The work I have done at the University of Nebraska Lincoln
[00:18:42.470]was because I understood it was imperative
[00:18:44.760]to the survival of black, brown and indigenous students
[00:18:47.920]who are here and will find themselves on this campus.
[00:18:52.180]I have challenge initiatives and policies to ensure
[00:18:54.920]that the most marginalized students were being considered.
[00:18:58.530]I have introduced and proposed changes
[00:19:00.700]to improve our campus climate, cultural competency,
[00:19:04.040]and overall safety for black, brown and indigenous students.
[00:19:08.140]This is not a passion. This is hard, necessary,
[00:19:12.020]and tiring work. However, in the context of all of this,
[00:19:18.080]I have learned how to reclaim black joy
[00:19:20.710]and black love just as MLK taught us.
[00:19:24.180]I have learned how revolutionary it is for me
[00:19:26.410]to take care of myself unapologetically and my communities.
[00:19:31.030]I have reclaimed black joy as my motto and the answers
[00:19:34.770]to the questions that have errputed in times of trauma.
[00:19:38.660]While UNL has not always felt like a home to me,
[00:19:41.780]I know that I will leave it better.
[00:19:45.340]Thank you.
[00:19:46.351](crowd clapping)
[00:19:53.670]Next, it gives me great pleasure to present the 2022,
[00:19:57.720]Community, Fulfilling the Dream Award to Judi Gaiashkibos.
[00:20:02.130]Enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
[00:20:04.660]and Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission
[00:20:07.550]on Indian Affairs. Among her many contributions,
[00:20:12.710]Judi has led our state in several areas.
[00:20:16.220]To fully realize the legacies of her Ponca ancestor,
[00:20:19.300]Chief Standing Bear, and our nation's
[00:20:21.720]first native physician, Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte,
[00:20:26.900]to advocate for the rights of native women and children.
[00:20:30.670]To promote truth and reconciliation
[00:20:33.260]regarding the historical conflicts and ongoing divides
[00:20:36.653]between first peoples in our settler society.
[00:20:40.670]And to support UNL led projects and programs,
[00:20:43.500]engaging native communities.
[00:20:45.700]Let me share a few examples of her work.
[00:20:48.430]During the last 15 years, Judi tirelessly led to change,
[00:20:52.440]to raise visibility about, and honor the incredible story
[00:20:55.860]of Ponca Chief Standing Bear.
[00:20:57.950]This activity has coalesced to represent what she terms
[00:21:01.847]"her life's work." Without the efforts and accomplishments
[00:21:07.170]of Judi and her small, but mighty staff agency
[00:21:11.180]or her agency staff, the life and influence
[00:21:14.010]of Chief Standing Bear would be far less visible
[00:21:17.070]and understood in Nebraska, throughout the Great Plains
[00:21:20.710]and across the country. The catalog raisonne of Judi's work
[00:21:25.480]to secure Chief Standing Bears legacy
[00:21:28.290]and its associated impact is vast. More recently,
[00:21:33.170]Judi has helped to raise awareness
[00:21:34.870]about Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte,
[00:21:37.610]the pioneering native physician who provided valuable
[00:21:40.640]healthcare and resources to her community on the Omaha
[00:21:44.830]reservation. Unlike many male chiefs and warriors,
[00:21:48.950]Dr. Susan and her groundbreaking story
[00:21:51.680]was virtually unknown outside of Northeast, Nebraska.
[00:21:56.292]In 2017, Judi and her staff led the formation
[00:21:59.810]of the Susan La Flesche Memorial Advisory Committee.
[00:22:03.640]It was comprised of Dr. Picotte's descendants,
[00:22:07.010]community leaders, architects, museum professionals,
[00:22:10.680]and other stakeholders, as well as Omaha tribal elders.
[00:22:15.770]In addition, Judi played a leading role
[00:22:18.340]in efforts to design and fund the placement
[00:22:21.200]of a bronze statue of Dr. Susan at Centennial Mall
[00:22:24.520]in M street in Lincoln. The larger than life statue
[00:22:28.460]was unveiled on October 11th, 2021.
[00:22:32.100]Which was the first Indigenous People's Day
[00:22:34.250]celebrated in the state of Nebraska.
[00:22:37.490]I urge you to learn more about this work and particularly
[00:22:41.100]more about Judi's work around,
[00:22:43.760]missing and murdered indigenous women @mmiwusa.org.
[00:22:50.300]As such, in January 2020, Judi began working with
[00:22:53.970]members of the Nebraska legislature to
[00:22:56.300]initiate a study on the growing crisis
[00:22:58.750]of missing native women and children in our state,
[00:23:01.450]which also exists as a national crisis.
[00:23:04.834]Judi's advocacy led to LB154, which directed the state,
[00:23:09.260]the Nebraska State Patrol to collect data
[00:23:11.440]concerning missing Native American women.
[00:23:14.250]The goal was to determine the scope of the problem,
[00:23:17.030]identify barriers, and find ways to create partnerships,
[00:23:20.110]to increase reporting and investigation
[00:23:22.590]of missing Native American women in Nebraska.
[00:23:25.350]And again, I urge you to learn more about this issue,
[00:23:27.990]which is a longstanding issue @mmiwusa.org.
[00:23:33.460]As noted by her nominators, "we have witnessed and benefited
[00:23:38.750]from Judi's uncanny ability to parlay her perspective,
[00:23:42.780]experience, vision, and network in ways that help
[00:23:46.390]individuals, projects and in communities advance
[00:23:50.320]on their journeys towards racial justice and equality."
[00:23:55.350]Please join me in recognizing, Judi Gaiashikibos.
[00:23:59.778](crowd clapping)
[00:24:03.380]Chancellor Green and members of
[00:24:04.870]the University of Nebraska Lincoln community.
[00:24:08.080]It is humbling to be receiving the Fulfilling the Dream
[00:24:11.330]Award as we commemorate the great civil rights movement
[00:24:15.120]and the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther king.
[00:24:19.100]I am honored to be mentioned in the same breath as former
[00:24:22.360]recipients of this award, Leola Bullock and Lela Shanks
[00:24:26.210]who were magnificent women and powerhouses
[00:24:29.530]in this community. Many other distinguished recipients
[00:24:33.610]at the award have been my colleagues and friends
[00:24:36.520]with whom we shared a common purpose,
[00:24:39.180]to work for equity for our society.
[00:24:43.340]I am privileged to serve the
[00:24:44.910]Nebraska Commission on Indian affairs,
[00:24:46.920]where we work on behalf of Native American people
[00:24:50.600]for the state. We work with elected members
[00:24:53.580]of the Nebraska legislature to develop bills
[00:24:56.840]that will recognize and provide security and
[00:25:00.250]equity to Nebraska tribal communities in our state.
[00:25:04.770]What we have been able to accomplish
[00:25:06.830]has depended on partners in the community.
[00:25:10.200]One of those enduring partners
[00:25:12.290]over my time has been the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
[00:25:16.690]I have had the pleasure to work with many inside the
[00:25:19.450]university community. I value those relationships
[00:25:23.440]and greatly admire the character and vision of UNL's
[00:25:27.400]current chancellor, Chancellor, Ronnie green.
[00:25:31.800]As Americans, we all share a desire to be connected
[00:25:35.390]and to be connectors. For me, the most important
[00:25:40.190]connection is my family. My daughters,
[00:25:44.010]both graduates of the University of Nebraska Lincoln,
[00:25:47.130]who I am very proud of and my five grandchildren.
[00:25:50.730]They are my focus and my purpose in life.
[00:25:54.480]For Native Americans, as for African Americans,
[00:25:57.440]the events of history are still a very vital
[00:26:00.620]and active part of our lives today.
[00:26:03.210]My personal call to serve comes from my Ponca
[00:26:06.170]and Santee Sioux ancestors. I am a descendant
[00:26:09.710]of the Ponca Chief, Smoke Maker, Shudegaxe.
[00:26:13.230]My ancestor was painted by both Karl Bodmer
[00:26:16.600]and George Catlin, and signed several treaties
[00:26:19.560]with the United States government.
[00:26:21.830]As a young man standing their new "Smoke Maker,"
[00:26:25.100]who was his elder, my grandfather Otto Knudsen,
[00:26:29.530]who was the last chief, of the second rank of the Ponca,
[00:26:32.910]and Standing Bears next door neighbor
[00:26:35.240]during his time, lived just down the river.
[00:26:39.240]My mother was a survivor of one of the largest federal
[00:26:42.470]Indian boarding schools in Genoa, Nebraska.
[00:26:46.380]Her strength is my legacy.
[00:26:49.208]Many people who study history,
[00:26:51.020]draw parallels between a speech Standing Bear
[00:26:53.680]gave during the landmark 1879 trial
[00:26:57.240]and Dr. King's, "I have a dream" speech.
[00:27:00.510]His simple and direct words spoke
[00:27:03.040]for all our first peoples at a time
[00:27:05.900]that the legal system still did not recognize them
[00:27:09.220]as human. As incredible as this may sound,
[00:27:14.830]it seems to be the truth and that's the way it was then.
[00:27:19.570]What Standing Bear said, change United States law
[00:27:23.710]40 years before Native Americans won the right to vote.
[00:27:27.910]It was a monumental first step to begin
[00:27:30.650]changing how we have
[00:27:32.775]been seen inside this structure of society
[00:27:36.120]and in people's hearts.
[00:27:39.700]140 years later, we are still working to make
[00:27:43.730]our country and our communities
[00:27:45.810]more fair and more equitable.
[00:27:48.330]We do this work together as we continue to fulfill our
[00:27:52.990]dreams and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy
[00:27:57.870]and Ponca Chief, Standing Bear.
[00:28:00.470]Thank you for this honor, weblaho.
[00:28:06.328](crowd clapping)
[00:28:10.360]So on behalf of the Office of Research and Economic
[00:28:12.850]Development, we are proud to support and engage
[00:28:15.790]in the actions of this year's MLK Commemorative Celebration
[00:28:19.430]and week. As partners in our pursuit
[00:28:22.260]of inclusive excellence here at Nebraska,
[00:28:24.820]we continue to seek to create more equitable and inclusive
[00:28:28.450]efforts for all members of our community.
[00:28:31.522]ORED stands as a firm supporter of diversity,
[00:28:34.920]equity and inclusion, proud to meet and support
[00:28:38.280]the vast needs of the community.
[00:28:41.050]I would like to introduce our final performance.
[00:28:43.660]In her next performance, Aurora Villarreal,
[00:28:46.700]a student from the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film
[00:28:49.750]at UNL, returns to perform Amanda Gorman's most recent poem,
[00:28:54.297]"New day's lyric." Gorman, who graduated
[00:28:57.410]from Harvard in 2020, was selected by
[00:28:59.980]President Joe Biden to read her original poem,
[00:29:03.087]"The hill we climb" for his inauguration on
[00:29:05.740]January 20th, 2021. She offers her latest poem,
[00:29:10.137]"New day's lyric," to a world in much need
[00:29:12.810]of strength and endurance.
[00:29:19.447]"New day's lyric," by Amanda Gorman.
[00:29:24.460]May this be the day we come together.
[00:29:29.980]Mourning, we come to mend, withered we come to weather,
[00:29:37.900]torn, we come to tend, battered, we come to better.
[00:29:45.560]Tethered by this year of yearning,
[00:29:48.890]we are learning that though we weren't ready for this,
[00:29:53.120]we have been readied by it.
[00:29:56.030]We steadily vow that no matter how we are weighed down,
[00:30:01.500]we must always pave a way forward.
[00:30:06.550]This hope is our door, our portal.
[00:30:10.340]Even if we never get back to normal,
[00:30:12.960]someday we can venture beyond it,
[00:30:15.720]to leave the known and take the first steps.
[00:30:19.510]So let us not return to what was normal,
[00:30:22.640]but reach toward what is next.
[00:30:26.430]What was cursed, we will cure.
[00:30:30.040]What was plagued, we will prove pure.
[00:30:34.680]Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,
[00:30:39.370]those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee.
[00:30:45.370]Where we weren't aware, we're now awake;
[00:30:49.440]those moments we missed are now the moments we make,
[00:30:54.860]the moments we meet,
[00:30:57.050]and our hearts once all together beaten,
[00:31:01.350]now all to together, beat.
[00:31:05.240]Come, look up with kindness yet,
[00:31:08.170]for even solace can be sourced from sorrow.
[00:31:11.960]We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday,
[00:31:15.620]but to take on tomorrow. We heed this old spirit,
[00:31:21.060]and a new day's lyric in our hearts, we hear it:
[00:31:25.980]for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne
[00:31:30.660]be bold, sang Time this year, be bold, sang Time
[00:31:36.440]for when you honor yesterday, tomorrow ye will find.
[00:31:41.610]Know what we've fought need not be forgot nor for none.
[00:31:46.820]It defines us, binds us as one, come over,
[00:31:51.380]join this day just begun.
[00:31:53.990]For wherever we come together, we will forever overcome.
[00:32:00.608](crowd clapping)
[00:32:05.380]Thank you for attending our 2022,
[00:32:08.246]MLK Commemorative Celebration.
[00:32:12.110]We are honored to have engaged in a conversation
[00:32:15.060]with Lisa Ling, who challenges us to become
[00:32:18.480]more informed and invested in issues
[00:32:22.120]that impact the most vulnerable and
[00:32:25.240]underrepresented in our communities.
[00:32:28.290]Truly reflective of the leadership, life and legacy
[00:32:32.100]of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr.
[00:32:36.440]We hope this event ignited in you the importance
[00:32:41.240]of rejuvenation and the power of endurance.
[00:32:46.640]As we continue to embark on our respective paths toward
[00:32:50.970]equity and inclusion. The role that we play individually
[00:32:56.060]and collectively ensures a more
[00:33:00.160]illuminated voyage forward. Before we depart,
[00:33:06.280]we would like to thank those that made our event and this
[00:33:08.920]phenomenal week, a reality. Supporters and sponsors
[00:33:13.570]who all assisted in creating this opportunity
[00:33:16.200]for our campus and community.
[00:33:18.660]First, we wanna thank our MLK Week Committee,
[00:33:23.600]comprised of members of several organizations
[00:33:26.440]and campus units. This committee worked diligently
[00:33:30.220]to create an event reflective of the challenges and
[00:33:34.590]opportunities we face locally and across the nation.
[00:33:39.080]Without the time, dedication and service of our
[00:33:41.840]committee members, this week and tonight's event
[00:33:46.090]would not be possible.
[00:33:52.440]We also thank our program participants,
[00:33:55.290]Aurora Villarreal and the Carson School Theater and Film,
[00:33:58.660]Charlene Maxey-Harris, Dr. Marco Barker,
[00:34:02.000]Dr. Michael Boham, Bogia push Quran and Nathan Meyer.
[00:34:06.540]We thank Chancellor Green and Executive Vice Chancellor
[00:34:09.350]Angerson for their leadership and continued support of these
[00:34:12.450]efforts. We also extend our gratitude to our amazing
[00:34:16.130]production and graphics team that provided both our
[00:34:18.920]prerecorded and live video footage that brought this event
[00:34:22.150]to our campus and community.
[00:34:25.590]We would also like to thank our legacy sponsors,
[00:34:28.360]the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources,
[00:34:31.170]the Office of Research and Economic Development and
[00:34:34.640]university libraries, and our dream sponsors,
[00:34:37.530]the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources,
[00:34:41.350]Engineering, Education and Human Sciences, Law,
[00:34:45.710]the Office of Graduate Studies, and Business and Finance,
[00:34:49.900]and our community supporter, Lincoln Public Schools.
[00:34:53.850]Additionally, we thank our drum major and unity sponsors.
[00:34:57.770]Finally, we are seeking partners through our
[00:35:00.070]community and campus for our 2023 MLK week.
[00:35:04.240]If you are interested in being part of these upcoming
[00:35:06.360]efforts, please visit us @mlkweek.unl.edu. Thank you.

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2022 - MLK Week Commemorative Experience

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