Thank you to Ellie Boyle for hosting Bowling Green’s Human Relations Commission’s 33rd Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute. Ana Brown’s recitation of Lift Every Voice and Sing allowed us to listen to the words of what has become known as the Black National Anthem and the BGHS Madrigals (masked) rendition of Free at Last was beautifully performed. Ms. Boyle’s mention of Ohio’s HB 322 and 327 was an apt introduction to BGSU Senior Arianna Bustos’ keynote address, Equity in Education: MLK’s Legacy & Influence in Education. I wish I could reproduce the illustration Ms. Bastos used to illustrate “equity” vs “equality” but her talk explained it so well, as well as the influence to and of Dr. King.
Though I have been friends with Mojabeng Kamala, Coordinator of Welcome BG and the program’s second keynote speaker, for many years, I did not know her story as an immigrant to the USA and eventually to Bowling Green, nor the extent of discrimination she experienced in BG. Yet, she strives to make our town welcoming to all. Her talk was direct and a challenge to all to live up to our potential to grow our community through being open to diversity.
Beatriz Maya is so well-deserving of the 2022 Drum Major for Peace Award. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her tireless work with La Conexion, as well as other human rights organizations in Bowling Green.
Thank you, as well, to Ariel Kasler, BGSU Music College Faculty, and to all involved for an excellent, thought-provoking program.
Jean Geist
Bowling Green
