Comments Delivered at the Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center on the Campus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland on May 1, 2024 for “Accessing the Diverse History of Southern Maryland,” hosted by the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition.
Dr. King’s unwavering belief in the possibility of a Beloved Community, free from hunger and hatred, still resonates today. It is a vision where racism and prejudice yield to an all-inclusive community spirit that embraces us all.
The organizations that have come together to form the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition represent the manifestation of the Beloved Community. The coalition is a testament to the realization that we have work to do to create and sustain an inclusive community free of racism and prejudice.
Welcome to St. Mary’s College of Maryland, an institution where we strive to not only talk the talk but walk the walk. We are honored to be part of this esteemed group of organizations and we are thrilled to be the host site for this gathering.
During the course of my presidency, the College has worked hard to create an environment in which all who choose to join us, have the opportunity to thrive. This is no easy undertaking because, as you know, we all enter into our communities having lived a life beforehand, a life that influences how we interpret the actions of others, how we engage with others, how we communicate with others. We are an imperfect community with aspirations of becoming that beloved community. To do that, we have been explicit in acknowledging those who were here before us and pledging to do our best to understand their history in this place and their contributions to this place and then to spread the word as honestly, completely, and simply as we can about this place. Thus, the Land Acknowledgement AND Pledge, is not just an acknowledgment but our promise to unearth the truth and to tell the truth – the whole truth.
But, what is “truth”? Over my decades of being, it has become clear to me that “truth” can be subjective if only one voice is allowed to speak and, importantly, be heard. Singularity of interpretation leads to mis-interpretation, misunderstanding, and, yes, misinformation. Singularity of interpretation leads to the juxtapositions of empowerment and disenfranchisement, complacency and unrest, privilege and hardship. Singularity of voice leads to oppression… prejudice… racism… poverty.
The members of this coalition realize that we cannot speak with a singular voice because we are not a singular people or a monolithic society. It is only when all voices are allowed to both speak and be heard can we begin to go from a black and white interpretation of “truth” to a comprehensive understanding of the “truth” comprised of all colors and hues. It is only then that we are able to respect the complexities of what it means to be human, understand the fallibility of the human experience, humanize the oppressed, and appreciate the fragility of humanity. Our collective work as a coalition allows us to engage in a more honest and truthful telling of the history of this place to learn from its achievements and failings. We must give voice to people who had none, knowing that while the past cannot be changed, the future is dependent on what we do today.
At St. Mary’s College of Maryland, we make plans for the future taking stock of who we are, and who we want to be. We confront prejudice and avarice for the common good and to set the example. We enable the next generation to see. And we, at St. Mary’s College, are honored to be part of this coalition, a coalition committed to telling the powerful stories of all of the people in our past. Stories of resilience, persistence, perseverance, and failings of humankind. As we work in pursuit of our collective truth, we will achieve that ever-elusive aspiration of representing the Beloved Community.
Again, welcome to our little college by the river. As this tributary flows into the mighty Chesapeake that provides sustenance for individuals beyond its shores, may this day feed our spirits and propel us to become that which no one ever imagined and that is a better life for all of us individually and collectively, i.e., THE Beloved Southern Maryland Community.
Thank you.
