Leslyn McBean and her son, Kelsie, enjoy the afternoon Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at GIAC on Jan. 20. Robert Barker/University Photography
On Monday, the first day of spring semester classes for Cornell students, Don Barr, professor of human services studies, left a note on his door to let students know he would be out all afternoon participating in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and extending to them an invitation.
The program celebrating King's life was held at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center in downtown Ithaca on the afternoon of the national holiday in King's honor. Sponsored by the Cornell Public Service Center, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, the Multicultural Resource Center and other Ithaca community groups, the aim of the program, according to organizers, was to reinforce King's values of diversity, equal rights and service.
The annual event sprung from an idea by Ellen Baer, volunteer coordinator of the Public Service Center, and was developed after she met with Marcia Fort, executive director of GIAC, and with Terrence Calhoun, director of the Multicultural Resource Center.
The celebration, in its third year, enjoyed the best turnout since its inception on Monday. An estimated 300 members of the community, students and faculty were in attendance, reflecting the diversity of the gathering.
"I wanted the Cornell and the downtown communities to come together," Baer said.
"This is the only community event where everyone comes and can represent who they are -- Cornell, downtown, white, black, young, old, straight, gay or whatever. You usually don't get that at any event," said Calhoun.
The program included activities for people of all ages, including poetry, dance, diversity and anti-racism workshops and a luncheon featuring keynote speaker Valerie Hayes, director of the Cornell Office of Equal Opportunity.
One popular event was an "Elders Speak-Out," during which elders from the Ithaca community spoke about racism, the Civil Rights Movement and the youth of today.
"It was good to hear their take on our current situation," said Tseddy Betru '99. "Because of the not-so-obvious racism and segregation that is going on now, we need to remember to maintain that level of being outspoken that was practiced back then."
"I thought it was inspiring," said Neil Golder, a BOCES teacher and 30-year Ithaca resident. "It's important that we remember our ideals and act according to them."
Fort said the amount of Cornell faculty participation in the event was lower than in the previous two years, however.
"It would help community relations to see more faculty involved," said Barr. "GIAC continues to be an anchor of the community."
GIAC and the Multicultural Resource Center are planning a candlelight vigil in April to commemorate the date of King's assassination.
Valerie Hayes, director of Cornell's Office of Equal Opportunity, talks about the importance of pushing for diversity during her keynote speech at the King Day celebration. Robert Barker/University Photography