WORLD & NATION
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
50th anniversary of March on Washington remembered
BY ADITYA GARG celebration. The task is not done. The journey is not |H||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||m ^
BY ADITYA GARG
SwfWwm
Fifty years after the dream that set us on the path for
greater equality, the words and principles of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. still ring true.
Tens of thousands of people from across the country
assembled in the nation's capital this week to celebrate the
50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom, originally held on Aug. 28,1963.
"I was amazed by the sheer number of people that
attended," said Andrew Meshnick, Georgetown University
freshman and gathering attendee, in a phone interview.
"You could tell that it was a real grassroots movement and
that everybody really cared and respected the efforts of
those men who stood there 50 years ago."
Flowever, Saturday's march was just one of the week's
commemorative events. Later proceedings included
speeches from Georgia Representative John Lewis — the
youngest speaker at the original March in 1963 — Martin
Luther King III and President Barack Obama.
President Obama, among others, spoke to the numerous
changes since the March in 1963.
"Because they marched, city councils changed and state
legislatures changed and Congress changed and, yes,
eventually the White House changed," Obama said.
Speakers such as Representative Lewis and King III
focused on the need for continued action.
"This is not the time for nostalgic commemoration,"
King said. "Nor is this the time for self-congratulatory
PRINCETON REVIEW
celebration. The task is not done. The journey is not
complete. We can and we must do more.
For many college students and millenials who have
never experienced the social injustice that these men spoke
of, racism seems to be a thing of the past.
When asked whether or not racism exists today. Associate
Professor of Political Science Maria Rosales simply replied,
"Yes."
Later elaborating on the response, Rosales pointed to the
"systematic, though perhaps unintentional, bias against
minority groups such as blacks and Latinos in the criminal
justice system."
Rosales referenced numerous studies such as Harvard's
Implicit Association Test and the Racial Dot Map to
explain that minorities, though having won significant
victories over the last few decades, still experience injustice
throughout various facets of our economy.
CCE student Latonia Etheridge co-organized the March
on Washington in Greensboro, where local residents
reflected upon King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the
current state of civil rights.
Etheridge shares Rosales' view.
"The new generation is experiencing racism through
different experiential encounters," Etheridge said. "For
example, the American judicial system and its legal process
seems to weigh heavily against'people of color."
Rosales suggests that while a temporary fix to racism is
unlikely, the roots of racism can be traced.
"The media often plays a big role in public perception by
what they show," Rosales said. "There is no cure-all for this
CCE student Latonia Etheridge helped organize the March
on Washington in Greensboro, which took place on Aug. 28.
problem, though various techniques such as countering
stereotypes and greater education have shown promise." '
While racism continues to play a role in society, many
would argue that the 50th Anniversary of the March on
Washington was a success and a momentous marking ppint
in the effort to raise awareness for the civil rights struggle.
Perhaps now more than ever, Americans should reflect
on whether they have truly lived up to the ideals and
legacies of King and the men and women who died for the
civil rights movement.
Commitment to being
“green” brings reward
Continued from Page I
sustainability on a local level. Over
the summer, 12 students and staff
conducted research at the Bog Garden.
David Hildreth, Professor of Education
Studies, elaborated on his side of the
research.
"Myself and a colleague examined
why people come to the Bog Garden,"
said Hildreth. "We really tried to focus
on kids: why they come and, more
importantly, what Aey learn from their
experience at the Bog Garden."
Hildreth went on to explain the
results of the research. "We were able
to examine how kids really benefited
from being out in nature. The natural
wonder that kids have being out there
is just amazing."
Visiting Instructor of Justice and
Policy Studies Daniel RJiodes also
participated in the research. "Initially,
we were looking at the role of workers
in relation to the Bog Garden," Rhodes
said. "But, as it turned out, the research
grew to focus on the teenage scene, as
it was becoming a major issue."
As far as Guilford's contribution
to informing and shaping the youth
population, Rhodes said, "students
come here with an understanding of
the sustainability issues on campus.
We've done a lot to encourage this
behavior within our community."'
On campus, students and faculty
practice environmentalism on a daily
basis: eating organic foods, using bikes,
and conserving water through faucets,
showerheads and water fountain use.
With ample opportunity to reduce
their ecological footprints, many
Guilford students would argue that
the soul and spirit of Guilford is green.
Clearly, The Review agrees.
(Above) Visiting Assistant Professor
of Peace and Conflict Studies
Jeremy Rinker holds a sign during
a candlelight vigil on Aug. 28. (Above
right) Director of the Friends Center
and Campus Ministry Coordinator
Max Carter and Associate
Professor of Religious Studies Eric
Mortensen also hold candles as
they pray for peace.