Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day

 

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On January 20, the Suffield Academy community came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a moving chapel program. Cultural Diversity Director Liz Warren opened the event with heartfelt remarks, setting the tone for an afternoon of reflection and inspiration. Organized by the Students of Color United group, the program featured powerful presentations that included original poems, personal stories, and profound reflections. Students shared their experiences, challenged perceptions, and encouraged the community to consider the ongoing work needed to achieve justice and equality. Below are summaries and excerpts from these inspiring contributions, showcasing the resilience, courage, and hope that Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire in us all.

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I Used to Love to RunMari McCarthy ’26
“Without my mask of passiveness, I realized that it was not what people said or how they perceived me that was the true problem. It was the power I let it have over me.” Mari shared her journey of moving from a place of fear and self-doubt to one of strength and self-discovery. Her speech highlighted the courage it takes to stop running from expectations and instead walk confidently toward one’s true self. “There’s a beauty in this process, a recongization of a strength I never realized I had. It’s not the strength of running away but the strength of standing firm. The strength of vulnerability, of allowing myself to feel deeply without being consumed by it. The strength to dream of a future built on my terms, not shaped by the fear of others’ opinions. Each step forward feels lighter now. The quicksand has been replaced by solid ground, even if it’s uneven at times. And in those moments of stillness, I’ve discovered a profound truth: I’m no longer running from something. I’m running toward myself.”

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Maintaining My Shelf | Azerionna Crudup ’25
Being a Black girl in a PWI and not being able to spread my wings so I can fly—oh gosh, I don’t think you want me to tell you why. Learning the new ropes and trying to always have hope but just being the Black bear that everyone can poke.
Always holding my tongue just to be able to have fun, but never really understanding what I have become.
Momma always told me to never let anyone rearrange my shelf
Standing here with confidence and never doubting myself... I’m sorry I can’t be everyone else
My skin is my pride; I never had to decide
Momma always taught me the game because she always saw my flame, but there were always some things she really couldn’t explain
Learning the new game is something I can’t even begin to explain
Once I felt it for myself, I began to forget about my shelf—something that I had grown over time—that I was so quick to let unwind
But I had to remind myself that this isn’t my finish line
This is just my beginning, and I know a lot of people hate to see me winning
But like my mom always says, just keep swimming
So I take this time to dust my trophy and put it back on my shelf, standing here today with my family, not by myself
We stand here today just for us to say that something that seems so small could make us lose it all, but truly, we just want to win overall
Because of our skin, we’re told we can’t win
But I continue to let my hair down and swing in the wind
I’m not sorry we choose love because we’re never allowed to be above
All we want is justice, and we’ll continue to choose love
Standing here today, I’m proud that I have the right to say I’m glad that God made me this way
All I have left to say is: Have a blessed, beautiful, loving day, and remember, we’ll all win one day
Most of all, happy MLK Day

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I Am Who I Am Arhenis Salcedo ’27
Arhenis shared a powerful story about growing up as a Dominican boy and navigating the complexities of being both Dominican and Black. Initially feeling torn between two identities, he learned to embrace both as integral parts of who he is. Arhenis emphasized that race and ethnicity are interconnected, with African heritage deeply embedded in Dominican culture. His experiences at a predominantly white institution highlighted the strength and pride he draws from both sides of his identity. “I started to realize just how important it was to hold on to both sides of who I am. In a space where I was often one of the few people who looked like me, I learned to appreciate my Dominican and Black heritage even more. It was there, in those moments of feeling different, that I truly understood the strength I get from both cultures. They’ve shaped who I am, and they continue to ground me, reminding me where I come from and why both parts of me matter.”

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“The Hill We Climb” Isabel Rodriguez ’25
Isabel opened with a reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy of courage, justice, and love. She emphasized the ongoing struggle for equality and reminded the audience that the climb toward justice is unending but necessary. To honor this journey, Isabel recited Amanda Gorman’s powerful inaugural poemThe Hill We Climb. Through Gorman’s words, she highlighted the resilience, hope, and collective action required to bridge divides and build a brighter future. Isabel’s message resonated as a call to carry forward Dr. King’s dream with courage and unity: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

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Embodying Love & Justice Alana Clarke ’26
Alana honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of love and justice, underscoring the ongoing importance of these values in our world today. Drawing from Dr. King’s famous words, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” she explored how love, in Dr. King’s vision, was not passive but an active, transformative force that guided his pursuit of justice. Alana reflected on Dr. King’s moral clarity, his call for restorative justice, and his unyielding commitment to equality, encouraging us all to continue his work by embodying these principles in our lives. “Dr. King’s legacy is a challenge to us all. He showed us that love and justice are not just big ideas but values we can put into action. He taught us that in the face of adversity, we must choose courage; in the presence of hate, we must choose love; and in the struggle for fairness, we must choose justice.”

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The Fight Against Silence & Racism Adrianna Bailey-Stewart ’26
Adrianna reflects on the profound influence of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, celebrating his fight for equal rights, love, and justice. She acknowledges the progress made but highlights the caution still felt by many people of color, who continue to walk in the shadow of systemic racism. Referencing Harry Belafonte, Adrianna reminds us that while slavery was abolished, “the crippling poison of racism still persists, and the struggle still continues.” She challenges the notion of “I don’t see color,” stressing that justice cannot be achieved by ignoring race. Adrianna then quotes Malcolm X, urging that “when the people create a program, you get action,” calling for a deeper understanding of racial struggles to spark real change. “Love the people around no matter the color of their skin or the stereotypes set around them. Disrupt all peace and fight for justice with love. Justice is what love looks like in public.”

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The Power of Connection Nyah Bailey-Burton ’25
Nyah’s speech beautifully emphasized the profound power of connection and love in creating justice. She began with a personal anecdote, recalling Sunday walks with her mom, where small interactions with neighbors and strangers—waves, greetings, and conversations—highlighted the essential human need for connection. “Connection is what keeps us human,” she declared, framing it as the foundation of justice. Nyah challenged the common narrative of self-reliance, asserting that true success is a collaborative effort: “No surgeon can operate without a team of nurses, no author is published without a team of editors, and no great athlete makes it without a slew of great coaches and teammates.” She urged the audience to look beyond the concept of “minding your own” and to avoid isolating themselves from the issues of the world. “Those like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. devoted their lives to our ability to connect with one another. To our ability to collaborate and achieve together.” Nyah called for action through small, intentional acts of love, saying, “Love is the foundation on which justice rests, and we can build it so easily with just a little more effort.” Her message was clear: love and connection are not obligations but choices that shape a just and compassionate world.

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The Crown of Her Skin Tammy Olayinka ’26
She landed in this land of stars and stripes, a little girl from Nigeria, eyes wide with dreams
But the soil she stepped on whispered a different song, one that told her: You don’t belong
Her skin, rich as the earth beneath her feet was a map of generations, of blood lines and roots
But here, it was a stain, a mark of other ... in classrooms, on streets, in mirrors, and in books
Too dark, they said with whispers thin as air. Not enough they judged with careless stares
She learned the names they gave to her shade—too black, too loud, too out of place
She tried to scrub the color off her soul, to change her hue to something they’d condone
But the truth was buried deep, a seed of doubt
Her heart grew heavy, and her smile fell out
But then one night, under an ancient sky, her ancestors spoke, their voices strong:
You are the dawn, the fire, the flame—the kings and queens who bear your name
She stood tall, a girl reborn in the dark, her skin a testament, a sacred mark
The scars of hate turned to wisdom’s gold, a power that she could no longer withhold
She saw the beauty in the melanin’s hue, a rhythm in her blood that the world never knew
And in her reflection, she no longer cried
She found her roots and she stood with pride
Now on this day, she stands, hands open wide, a girl from Nigeria with nothing to hide
Her skin is a crown, her heart beats strong, she walks in the light of where she belongs
For she knows now that love is the cure and the world can be healed by the truth she endures
That no matter how dark the world may appear, her skin is her strength, and her soul is clear
For in loving my skin, I reclaim my grace—a justice for me, in this bold, sacred place

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Blackbird Gabby Braswell ’28 & Beckett Santopietro ’28
Gabby Braswell delivered a stirring performance of Blackbird by Paul McCartney, with Beckett Santopietro accompanying her on guitar. Before beginning, Gabby shared the song's significance, describing it as “a song of hope and resilience.” She explained how it was inspired by the civil rights movement in the 1960s, using the image of a blackbird taking flight to symbolize the struggle for freedom and equality. The poignant lyrics and gentle melody offered a moment of reflection and connection. Their performance was a powerful reminder of resilience and hope, aligning beautifully with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy.