They came through the doors, two or three at a time. Wrote name tags and found a place in the circle.
Thirty eight middle and high school students from three Seattle churches gathered for a Saturday of defining words, learning history, and wrestling with issues.
Laughter from icebreaker games filled the fellowship hall–like guessing the names of famous people stuck to our backs and “shuffle your buns” (a new one that left me quite thankful to be photographing, rather than playing)…..
…turned into serious discussion as students tackled writing definitions for five words:
prejudice
discrimination
racism
stereotype
institutional racism
Afterwards, we went to the Northwest African American Museum and then heard Rev Dr Samuel McKinney speak about his life and experiences–a close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the person who invited King to visit Seattle in 1961. We learned how King had to speak in a different location after the reserved venue cancelled at the last minute without reason. Students learned that much has changed, but so much remains to be done.
And at the end of the day I listened to the students share thoughts and questions and frustrations as they reflected on hard history that began before their birth, that continues to today. I marveled at their energy and conviction, and hope filled me…these are the next generation. Bless their efforts, Lord.
Grateful for…
361. Museum Without Walls, which gives students and adults opportunities to hear from living witnesses to times such as the US civil rights movement, Japanese-American internment after WWII, and the Holocaust.
362. Suzzanne, MWW Founder and Executive Director.
363. Rev McKinney and his willingness to share his story and memories with us.
364. The wonderful team who facilitated the day.
365. The students and youth leaders and churches.
366. Laughter
367. Sunshine
368. Glimpses of a community being formed on this, the first of three Saturday Multicultural Scholars’ events.
369. The happy-good tired at the end of a long, but amazing day.
370. That God, who so loves this world, is already working.
