Love is the United Church of Christ鈥檚 Minister for Racial Justice, a role she has held since 2017.听 Now based in Cleveland, Ohio, she formerly taught at North Park Theological Seminary and served for 16 years as North Park University鈥檚 director of intercultural justice and learning.

At the Duke Divinity School Summer Institute of Reconciliation, she was a teacher and mentor to EMU social work professor Melody Pannell, who extended the invitation.

In addition to her convocation lecture, Love facilitated two workshops for students with Pannell on womanist theology and 鈥渢ransforming trauma through the restoration of personal identity and resilience of black and brown girls.鈥�

Student members of Destiny鈥檚 Daughters, a leadership program and ministry founded and directed by Pannell, hosted Love and participated in the events.

The organization, which takes bright pink as its signature color, empowers girls and women by equipping them to 鈥�to recognize historical trauma, address current social disparities and develop resiliency as they engage in spiritual formation, restorative practices and community advocacy.鈥� Besides the EMU student organization, other branches of Destiny’s Daughters are located at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia; Washington D.C. and Harlem, New York.

The events provide “time to celebrate and to speak about some of the tough issues that women are facing today,” said member Jasmine Wilson. “I learned how important it is that I define my own identity, for myself. That is where I will become who God has created me to be. The Rev. Dr. Velda Love was more than just our guest speaker. She is our sister. The messages Destiny鈥檚 Daughters shared on campus was for all women on campus and all women around the world. I would invite the campus to join hands with Destiny鈥檚 Daughters and our mission to empower and spread love to all.”

One of Love鈥檚 themes was that of owning the truth 鈥� 鈥渄econstructing and decolonizing our history.鈥� This involves not only unearthing buried history related to early human history and Christianity on the African continent, but also laying bare the historic and social constructions of identity.

鈥淭he way in which we begin in a beginning is to tell the truth,鈥� she said, reprising some of her points she would share with her seminary students. 听鈥淎s your ancestors came to this land, yours were free and mine were enslaved…their history was interrupted and so there are ways in which we tell the story very differently鈥his is an important question. Who are your people? And where did they originate from?鈥�

鈥淚f we don鈥檛 tell the truth about our history, we get it really twisted,鈥� Love said, urging the audience, but particularly members of Destiny鈥檚 Daughters, to work towards changing an educational system that values, without question, Western ideologies of racial construction and history.

Similarly, she pointed out, humans do not question their sometimes distorted creations of God 鈥� yet God sees all people as his own image, both 鈥渇ully human and equally equipped.鈥�

鈥淒o you know what an EMU graduate should do and be when you are no longer on campus? Think of these things, of the people who invested in you because they believed in you. 鈥� Be a very good ambassador,鈥� he urged.

Though many of students present perhaps thought beyond impending finals to consider their future plans, the ceremony was the first time to put on their caps and gowns and the first inkling of the celebration to come. During the May 6 Commencement ceremony, each of the 33 will wear a special stole, some made of kente cloth but others of satin fabric symbolizing heritage, roots within one or various communities, or citizenship.

The formal presentation of these stoles was the reason for coming together with family, friends and EMU community members Wednesday evening. The ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of graduating students of color as well as the history of black students’ and students of color achievements at the university, according to Multicultural Student Services Director Celeste Thomas, who started the first event three years ago.

See this event and more in EMU’s Centennial timeline chronicling diversity on campus.听

鈥淲e gather here to honor these students, some of whom are the first of their family to graduate from college, and to wish them well on their way forward,鈥� she said in her welcome. 鈥淔or those of you who our graduates have selected to place the kente cloth over their shoulders, it is a great honor.鈥�

Micah Shristi, co-director of international student services and advisor to the International Student Organization, and M. Esther Showalter, advisor to the Latino Student Alliance, also co-hosted the event.

Read 2017 and 2016 coverage of the event.听

Donning of the Kente participants

Eyman Alasbali is graduating with an MA in education. Her father Ghorm Alasbali and mother Abdiah Alshebri presented the stole. She plans to take additional classes for a second concentration and then return to help her community.

Genesis Arzu 听is earning a degree in digital media and听plans to work in a production studio as an audio engineer after graduation. Celeste Thomas presented her stole.

Natasha Bridge is earning a degree in kinesiology and exercise science. Carolyn Stauffer, professor of sociology, presented her with the stole. Natasha plans to move home and work and further her education within the next two years.

Jazmine Carter is earning a degree in business administration, and plans to attend graduate school in the spring. Andrew Miller, instructor of business, awarded her stole.

Kevin A. Clark is earning a degree in Spanish with a minor in digital communications. Ann Hershberger, professor of nursing, presented his stole.

Phoebe Coffie is earning a degree in biology. After graduation, she plans to take the MCAT and continue shadowing and volunteering, working towards medical school entrance. Micah Shristi presented her stole.

Kimberly Daley is graduating with a degree in nursing. Marcia Pusey, instructor of nursing, presented her stole. Her goal is to be debt-free within three years.

Drew Diaz is earning a degree in biology and hopes to go to medical school His mother Pam Diaz awarded the stole.

Fabiana Espinal has earned a degree in liberal arts with a concentration in psychology. Amanda Styer and Alex Bowdey presented the stole. She plans to continue to be involved in the community following an internship related to Title IX and restorative justice. She鈥檒l begin graduate school in fall 2019.

Denait Gebretsadik is graduating with a degree in history and a minor in Spanish. She was gifted her stole by Asmait Asgedom, and it was presented by Mark Sawin, professor of history.

Jerome Jones will graduate with a degree in psychology and plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in clinical psychology. Melody Pannell, professor of sociology, presented his stole.

Maleke Jones is graduating with a degree in psychology and a minor in pre-law. He will work for a local police department. Melody Pannell presented his stole.

Emmanuel Kampanga earned a degree in biology. He plans to take the MCAT and apply for medical schools in Europe. Micah Shristi presented his stole.

Keyri Lopez-Godoy is graduating with a degree in liberal arts and a PK-6 elementary education endorsement. She will teach in Harrisonburg City Schools. Mentor Louise Gallagher presented the stole.

Luisa Angel Mallard is earning a degree in communication. She hopes to eventually earn a master鈥檚 degree in restorative justice. Micah Shristi presented her stole.

Lania McKoy will graduate with a nursing degree and a psychology minor. Lamarr Wharwood presented her with the stole. She plans to celebrate this accomplishment, study for the nursing boards and then be the best nurse she can be.

Mandy Miller is earning a degree in social work. She wants to work for two years and then return for a master鈥檚 degree. Celeste Thomas awarded her stole.

Kennedy Okerere is earning a degree in business administration. He will return to his home state of Maryland to begin a new job.听Celeste Thomas awarded his stole.

Louisa Quaynor will graduate with a degree in nursing. She plans to work in a Richmond area hospital after graduation. Marcia Pusey, instructor of nursing, awarded her stole.

Alejandra Tejada Rivera is earning a degree in nursing. She plans to work at Sentara RMH in the orthopedic unit. David Diaz presented her stole.

Da鈥橨ahnea Robinson is earning a degree in psychology. Charisse Robinson presented her with the stole. Da鈥橨ahnea will continue her studies in the MA in Counseling program at EMU.

Chang Tan will graduate with an MA in biomedicine. He will work as a research coordinator while preparing medical school applications. Fellow graduate student听Thi Do Lovo presented his stole.

Delight Tigoe has earned a degree in accounting. Her stole was presented by Lana Miller, undergraduate campus pastor, and Andrew Miller, instructor of business.

Myneshia Walker is graduating with a degree in sociology and a minor in coaching. She plans to return to her hometown and begin working. Sandy Brownscombe, professor of physical education, presented her stole.

Adila Wahdat graduates with a degree in digital media. She will work in marketing for a jewelry company. Friend Asmait Asgedom gifted her stole and was also the presenter.

Aminata Wallet-Mohamed will graduate with a degree in sociology. Friend Asmait Asgedom gifted her stole and was also the presenter.

Alexa Weeks is earning a degree in liberal arts with licensure in elementary education. Lana Miller, undergraduate campus pastor, presented her stole. Alexa hopes to find a teaching job in the Harrisonburg area after graduation.

Brittany Williams is earning a degree in recreation, leadership and sport studies. She plans to stay in Harrisonburg and work. Celeste Thomas presented her stole.

Isaiah Harris-Winn is earning a degree in business administration. Carolyn Stauffer, professor of sociology, presented his stole. He hopes to continue his basketball career overseas.

Elizabeth Witmer is earning a degree in social work with minors in sociology and Spanish. Ann Hershberger, professor of nursing, presented her stole. She will complete her social work practicum this summer in Guatemala and then continue working as office coordinator in the Intensive English Program.

Ryan Yates is earning an MA in interdisciplinary studies and a graduate certificate in transformative leadership. He plans to move to Los Angeles, California, and 鈥渃reate opportunities that will live on well beyond my years.鈥� Deanna Durham, professor of social work, and Celeste Thomas presented him with his stole.

Brianna Zook is earning a degree in kinesiology and exercise science with minors in business and coaching. Kevin Griffin, head women鈥檚 basketball coach, presented her with the stole. She plans to attend graduate school.

]]> /now/news/2018/emu-representatives-join-fellow-leaders-of-color-at-third-annual-mc-usa-hope-for-the-future-conference/ Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:36:17 +0000 /now/news/?p=37037 Three representatives from 草莓社区 attended the seventh annual Hope for the Future conference hosted by Mennonite Church USA (MC USA).

Melody Pannell, professor of social work, M. Esther Showalter, advisor to the Latino Student Alliance and instructor in the Intensive English Program, and Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services, traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for the Feb. 8-11 event. Pannell also chairs EMU鈥檚 Committee on Diversity and Inclusion; Thomas is also a member.

Their participation was sponsored by the President鈥檚 Office.

They joined approximately 70 pastors, leaders, directors, coordinators, educators and artists 鈥� the majority people of color 鈥� to 鈥渆xplore the ways that power, privilege and racism function in the Mennonite denomination.鈥�

This is the seventh annual conference bringing together leaders of color to network, share support and galvanize for change.

The conference theme 鈥� 鈥淭he People are Marching, Where are the Saints?鈥� 鈥� was drawn from Dr. Vincent Harding鈥檚 . In it, he urged the true believers to join the beggars, 鈥渢o march out of conformity and into the terror of the roaring night 鈥� The Master is already on the road and He says, 鈥業 am the way; follow me.鈥欌��

鈥淗aving so many of our leaders of color throughout the Mennonite Church in one space together was empowering,鈥� said Pannell, who in her third conference served as worship leader and moderator. 鈥淪ince I was raised in the Mennonite Church, it was also like attending a family reunion and recognizing who we are individually and acknowledging who we are collectively. It was also a significant time to celebrate the richness of our heritages and honor those leaders of color who have gone before us.鈥�

One conference highlight occurred on Friday morning, when MC USA announced that Glen Guyton, chief operating officer and director of convention planning, would be the denomination鈥檚 next executive director. He is the first African American to hold the position.

The room 鈥渆rupted in shouts, clapping, and cheering,鈥� according to an .

Thomas later framed the moment in her larger context. Used to working the 鈥渧ery white Mennonite space鈥� at EMU, she was 鈥渆mpowered to be in a Mennonite space that is majority persons of color.鈥�

鈥淏eing in that space and then hearing the announcement that Glenn Guyton was appointed as the next executive director of Mennonite Church USA was powerful,鈥� she said, 鈥渆specially having the opportunity to congratulate him in person as well as to gather around him and pray for him.鈥�

Guyton, a former board member at EMU, was one of four featured speakers. Others included Sue Park Hur, co-director of the Los Angeles, California-based ReconciliAsian peace center; Juan F. Mart铆nez, professor of Hispanic Studies and Pastoral Leadership, at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California; and Chantelle Todman Moore, co-founder and lead coach at unlock Ngenuity, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Showalter also called the conference 鈥渆mpowering鈥� and 鈥渋nvigorating.鈥�

鈥淲hat gave me the most energy was spending time with other Latino leaders, learning more about their passions and how they are serving their communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur sister in Christ, Sue Park-Hur, reminded us leaders that we are to bring life to people, to awaken and be courageous together.鈥�

The participants gathered towards the end of the conference to reflect on the theme, contributed by Harding, and to send a similarly prophetic letter, Pannell said, calling for the church to

Be centered in Christ and led by the Holy Spirit;

Love one another as Christ has loved us, despite our differences;

Be visibly active in making a difference in the world;

Bring young people along as we journey together.

Pannell added her closing prayer: 鈥淚 pray that as we seek to advocate on behalf of those that continue to be marginalized in our society, church and institutions that we join in with the people and march together in unity, love and justice for all.鈥�

The conference was sponsored by Everence, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., MC USA Executive Board, Mennonite Education Agency and Mennonite Mission Network.

At the time of her death, she was director of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in Baltimore, Maryland.

A wake will take place at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home, 4905 York Rd., Baltimore, Maryland, on听Monday, Jan. 29, from 4-8 p.m.

The funeral is at Bright Morning Star Church, RR 617, Dillwyn, Virginia, on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at noon.

A pioneer and champion

Swann-Wright joined the EMU community as an assistant in the learning center in August 1990. [She was then known as Dianne Wright.] She served as director of multicultural programs from 1993-97. During this time, she taught African American history courses and led cross-cultural groups to Kenya, encouraging African American students to learn more about their heritage.

From 1997-98, she became the first African American to hold a senior administrative role on campus when she served as interim vice president for student life.

While at EMU, she earned a doctorate in American history from University of Virginia.

From 1998 to 2005, Swann-Wright was director of African-American and special programs at Monticello. Her hiring as the first African American senior staff member was 鈥�,鈥� wrote historian Kendra Hamilton in 1999. Before her hiring by then-Director of Research Lucia 鈥淐inder鈥� Stanton,鈥� Hamilton notes there was 鈥渁 gaping crater in the institution鈥檚 allegedly comprehensive knowledge of life on Jefferson鈥檚 mountaintop.鈥�

Swann-Wright and Stanton co-founded the , which has identified and collected oral histories from descendants of families enslaved at Monticello. The duo also co-authored the official Monticello report linking Jefferson to Sally Hemings. Much of their research helped to develop programming and interpretation around African American life, experiences and culture at Monticello.

Influencing, empowering

At EMU, Swann-Wright was no less influential.

“She was the reason why I was able to succeed as a student at EMU, and she was why I came back to be her successor at EMU as director of multicultural services,鈥� says , now a professor of social work at EMU. 鈥淪he was the reason why I had the courage to return again and teach. She believed in me.”

Several other alumni share similarly strong admiration and affection for Swann-Wright. 鈥淥utstanding woman and supporter,鈥� wrote one alumna in a Facebook post.

Swann-Wright鈥檚 passion for sharing and celebrating African American history was remembered by Professor Emeritus , who served with her on an advisory council to support multicultural efforts, appreciation and programming.

Pannell also recalls this influence: 鈥淪he ensured that as a student of color, I was immersed, engaged and empowered by voices within the community-at-large that reflected my history and ancestry. She took me and other students to meet in person Cornell West, Maya Angelou, Sonya Sanchez and James Farmer, powerful voices that each spoke to the importance of raising my own voice, critically and with creatively, about issues of social justice.鈥�

Longtime friend Linda Alley first met and worked with Swann-Wright in what was then called the Student Life Division.

鈥淚 watched as Di went far beyond her job description in mentoring students, many of whom kept in touch with her for years,鈥� Alley said. 鈥淪he would report to me how proud she was or which ones needed extra prayer. She sent pictures of them and their children, because they were her spiritual family. My own son benefited from a tutoring session when she came to our house and spent some hours with him. Teaching was her gift, and she did it from a place of deep wisdom.鈥�

Swann-Wright had an insightful way of helping faculty and administrators to see the causes and potential effects of decisions, Alley said. 鈥淓MU would be a different place without the lingering effects of Dianne鈥檚 sojourn there.鈥�

鈥淪he told once told me that her life鈥檚 work was helping people to recognize and respond to society鈥檚 lies and views. She called this 鈥榯he Great Re-Education Project,鈥欌�� recalls nursing professor . 鈥淒ianne was deeply influential among EMU faculty and staff due to her honesty, openness and ability to name truth.鈥�

Lee Snyder was academic dean when Swann-Wright was at EMU. 鈥淲e worked closely together. I learned much from Dianne, a generous colleague and dear friend,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淪he taught me the power of story in furthering appreciation of diversity and she modeled a gracious spirit which has enriched all of us who knew her.鈥�

When Snyder was president at Bluffton College, she invited Swann-Wright to speak about her Monticello research.

鈥淎nd we all celebrated with her when her book, A Way Out of No Way: Claiming Family and Freedom in the New South, was published in 2002 by University of Virginia Press,鈥� Snyder said, recalling that much of that research was completed while Swann-Wright was balancing full-time work at EMU with her doctoral work.

Remembrances of Dianne Swann-Wright are encouraged (use the comment box below) and will be shared with the family.听

In 1967, Sharon Washington Risher heard The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Charleston, South Carolina. Then a little girl, she remembers being summoned with a phone call from her mother to dress in her Sunday best, to walk alone down the street to the hall where he would speak.

Settled in the back, she remembers, 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 see, but I could hear Dr. Martin Luther King鈥檚 voice and in my young mind, he sounded like what I thought God sounded like,鈥� she told the large crowd gathered in 草莓社区鈥檚 Lehman Auditorium.

That 鈥渓ittle ol鈥� Geechee girl from Charleston鈥� knew then that she, too, wanted to speak, to 鈥渟tand up in front of a crowd and they would want to hear what I had to say.鈥�

Risher visited 草莓社区 to speak at Monday鈥檚 celebration chapel service in honor of King. The hour-long service was a culminating activity of EMU鈥檚 MLK remembrance events, which began Jan. 10 with a religious diversity workshop and continued over the weekend.

‘Serious times’

An now living in Dallas, Texas, Risher has become, like King, an 鈥渁ccidental activist,鈥� traveling the country to preach a message of love even though she has every reason to hate after her mother, cousins and childhood friend were among those slain in a Charleston church by a white supremacist in 2015.

“Remain awake through this great revolution,鈥� she admonished, taking the phrase from King鈥檚 1988 sermon in Washington D.C.鈥檚 National Cathedral. 鈥溾�hese are serious times we are living in now … as serious as the Middle Passage, as serious as those whips and chains and auction blocks, as serious as the Montgomery bus boycott, the Million Man March, the killing of Trayvon Martin and Tamar Rice, the Million Women March, the killing of nine innocent people in a church, mass shootings all over this country. If we don’t wake up and stay woke, we will have missed all Dr. King fought for. We are living in a new revolution, and it’s just not affecting black people or people of color. This new revolution affects all of us, from each nation and country.鈥�

National holidays are 鈥渘ot enough,鈥� she continued. 鈥淢agnificent monuments of granite will not alter the pain or alleviate the sufferings of those who still yearn to breathe free. Their lives will not be in vain. We must not permit Martin King鈥檚 memorial to be another stop on the tourist bus route. Where are the new activists? Who will when awakened, disturb the church and humanity from its rest? Who will speak when this new era needs a new Martin? Who is there who is prepared to come after him? What preacher in all our churches is ready to fill the void of his leadership?鈥�

Living into our potential

Prior to Risher鈥檚 address, Mayor invoked King鈥檚 spirit to praise the activism of 2017 and to urge its growth: 鈥淭he foundation that Dr. King laid before us gives us today the blueprint we need for us not to sit back and be silent. We can no longer, in 2018, just let things go, especially in the climate we are in today, when we have leadership who thinks it’s okay to make derogatory comments about our African countries, and chalks it up as tough language. We have a lot of standing we need to do.鈥�

(BSU) co-president Tae Dews echoed this challenge later, both praising EMU as a 鈥渄iverse community founded on the principles of peacebuilding鈥� and 鈥渋ts wonderful potential鈥� while asking for more leadership and involvement in a 鈥減lan of racial justice, a plan of bridging the gap between the different diverse communities that we host here, just more intentionality on building that unity here.鈥�

The week was planned by a committee and BSU members, with guidance from director of multicultural student services . Many of them participated in the chapel service, bringing scripture and prayer, a litany and music.

• In her opening remarks, MLK Week committee co-chair and graduate student Oksana Kittrell said that the week was a call to action: 鈥淎s you focus in on this idea of staying 鈥榳oke鈥� in a time of oppression for not just brown bodies, but white ones as well, I encourage you to take what you have seen here, learn and experience today, and take the first step, to just stand. Stand on behalf of those who cannot. It鈥檚 time for change.鈥�
• Junior Clarissa White provided a scripture reading from Ephesians 4, and BSU co-president Tae Dews led an invocation.
• Senior Maleke Jones performed

  

• A litany read by seven students 鈥� Tae Dews, Precious Waddy, Brittany Williams, Cameron White, Clarissa White, Grant Amoateng and Oksana Kittrell 鈥� highlighted student dreams, hopes and thoughts, with the refrain, 鈥淧eace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly, a personal process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.鈥�

Professor had walked alongside them through a semester of difficult conversations about societal inequality, and their capstone projects, shared in that final week, displayed a nuanced activism in and among the campus community: a sampling of topics included听 鈥淭he Role of Power in Social Instability,鈥� 鈥淏ird Cage Theory鈥� and 鈥淭he Fight Against Sexism with Title IX.鈥�

And they鈥檇 written personal statements of hope and belief.

鈥淪tudents take this class because they need to talk about the issues,鈥� said Pannell. 鈥淏ut along the way, they learn about the hearts and talents of each other 鈥� and about themselves.鈥�

Enlightening, equipping

Senior Emmanuel Kampanga said the course was one of the most enlightening he鈥檚 taken.

鈥淥pening up about social issues can be challenging,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut rapidly a safe space was created between the students in the class.鈥� Now 鈥� having studied the history of racism, gender inequality and social injustice in America 鈥� Kampanga said he is equipped 鈥渁dvocate for what I believe in using facts rather than emotions.鈥�

Sophomore Gabby McMillon, too, said that the class was formative.

鈥溾�楻ace and Gender鈥� has provided me with tools and a platform to promote change in my community,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 learned what it means to be an ally and advocate. Each of us has power, and we can use that power to create change.鈥�

Musician responds

Senior Maleke Jones鈥檚 group presented about bird cage theory, which uses the metaphor that individual wires 鈥� each a specific form of oppression 鈥� work together to make a cage that leaves 鈥渘o way for the bird to escape.鈥�

Jones was known on campus already for his music, and was inspired to weave his coursework about bird cage theory into his art, a song 鈥淐aged Bird.鈥� It represents 鈥渉ow minority groups feel. Black people do get held back just because of their skin color,鈥� he said.

鈥淢usic is universal,鈥� said Pannell 鈥� and was a non-threatening way for Jones to tell his story. 鈥淚t has such a rawness to it. It鈥檚 emotional,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you at all know him and care about him as a person, it will cause you to think, 鈥榃ow, that鈥檚 how racism affects him,鈥� and how you don鈥檛 want that to be the case.鈥�

The song, Jones said, is 鈥渘ot only a voice speaking on my behalf, it鈥檚 a voice that鈥檚 speaking for the voiceless. The people being oppressed can鈥檛 really speak out and be heard, so I just try to speak out for people who can鈥檛 with my words.鈥�

鈥淛ust imagine being held back,鈥� he sings, 鈥淔rom chasing all your dreams just because you鈥檙e black. / See this cage goes unnoticed until your eyes have been opened / To this world ran by whites and on the low they be hoping.鈥�

by Maleke 鈥淢eechy Jay鈥� Jones

Statistics reinforce the song鈥檚 lyrics. In his class presentation about power, Kampanga pointed out examples of institutional racism: in education minorities suffer greater suspension rates; in criminal justice minorities receive longer sentences for the same crimes; and in the marketplace having a black-sounding name makes a person less likely to be called for an interview.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a fight between those that have power and those that don鈥檛 have it,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hose that have power don鈥檛 want to let it go, because power comes with benefits.鈥�

White privilege

Pannell said that it was her first time teaching the class that the roster was minority white. One senior, Elizabeth Witmer, had always considered herself an ally of minorities; in this class, she was one.

鈥淚 felt like there was a shift inside of me, saying 鈥業 need to take a step back and listen, and not speak so much,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥溾�業 need to listen.鈥欌��

What she heard were 鈥渂ig, burly black guys鈥� talk about being scared, particularly whenever police are around, 鈥減owerful鈥� stories of fellow students facing discrimination.

They weren鈥檛 textbook paragraphs; they were real stories.

Her group鈥檚 class project involved posting 鈥淐heck your privilege鈥� signs around campus, which invited white readers to reflect on positions of privilege from Peggy McIntosh鈥檚 article , statements such as these:

• 鈥淚 am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.鈥�
• 鈥淚 can be confident that my race won鈥檛 determine where I can rent or purchase a house.鈥�
• 鈥淚 can choose makeup or bandages in 鈥榝lesh鈥� color and have them more or less match my skin.鈥�

鈥淢aybe if we are more intentional about remembering that we are privileged, we can be more intentional about changing our thoughts about racism,鈥� Witmer and her classmate Sarah Regan wrote. 鈥淭he fact is that racism still exists in society which means white privilege still exists. Acknowledgement of our privilege is the first step in ending that racism.鈥�

This I Believe

The final assignment for the semester was writing 鈥淭his I Believe鈥� statements modeled on the . In them they told personal stories of pain and awakening, quoted civil rights leaders and expressed hope for social healing.

• From Sammy Thomas: 鈥淚 believe in equality for everyone. It starts with us. No more stereotypes and assumptions of people and races we simply do not know. If we simply treat everyone equally, then hopefully people will pick up on the trend and do the same.鈥�
• From Sarah Regan: 鈥淚 believe that the only place that anyone will ever 鈥榥ot belong in鈥� is isolation. Not one person in this world deserves the right to live more than another. Not one person deserves opportunities more than another. Not one person deserves more love and care than another. With our strengths and our weaknesses, with the colors of our skin, with our many beliefs and our many customs 鈥� In the name of Christ, we all belong.鈥�
• From Fabiana Espinal: 鈥淚 believe we all have the potential to be good, to be knowledgeable and reject ignorance, we all have the potential to be kind. I do believe, however, that it takes hard work, humility, and commitment to get there.鈥�

.

Based in the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood, WCSC hosts students each semester and over the summer from EMU and other partner institutions. It鈥檚 been a valued program since the 1970s.

The event was an opportunity for President Susan Schultz Huxman, in her ninth month in office, to meet program faculty and staff and hear from alumni about its impact. Undergraduate Dean Deirdre Smeltzer, as well as five faculty members, also made the trip.

The day included a presentation by WCSC director , visits to internship sites, a Nelson Good house tour and a meet-and-greet evening with university and program alumni. 听

Living and working in D.C.

Lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant on the H Street Corridor ended with a quick history lesson from Schmidt, offering a peek into the urban seminar courses that students take at WCSC. Schmidt described the stretch of businesses now gentrifying nearly five decades after riots decimated the African-American commercial hub. 听

The group then made visits to two intern sites. In a plaza near the Capitol, social work major Peter Dutcher described his 5:45 a.m. runs with , an organization that supports those experiencing homelessness through an innovative running program. EMU visitors formed a circle reminiscent of the program鈥檚 routine morning member circle while Dutcher and his supervisor described the organization鈥檚 impacts and the broader world experiences that such internships offer.

At the historic E, Bluffton student Anna Cammarn has been applying her majors in both music and psychology in a unique music therapy role serving students with behavioral needs.

鈥淔rom the time I was a freshman in college, I didn鈥檛 know if I wanted to be a music therapist or a clinical psychologist,鈥� Cammarn told the group. 鈥淚nterning at this institution has made me realize that even though I am not a music therapy major, this profession is something I can do with my life.鈥�

Program alums continue their support

After a meet-and-greet with local alumni, the group moved to the Nelson Good House for hors d鈥檕euvres and continued conversation.

Phil Baker-Shenk was a participant in 1976-77 to Washington Study Service Year, a year-long program that was the precursor to today鈥檚 WCSC.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 stopped dreaming big out-sized dreams about building and nurturing institutions,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ithout WSSY, this path and these dreams would not have been possible for me. WSSY and its younger sibling WCSC is surely one of the gems in the Mennonite crown. […] Let鈥檚 all guard this crown jewel.鈥� 听

Recent alum Kiersten Rossetto Nassar shared how visiting the Nelson Good House during her college search process impacted her decision to attend EMU. She spent a semester in the program, which eventually led her to make her home nearby in the city. 听

Alums and supporters also heard updates from Associate Director of Development about the growth of the new WCSC and the potential to start awarding program scholarships to break down cost of living barriers to students with financial need. 听

In addition to earning certification in mental health first aid and first aid/CPR, the CAs 鈥� sometimes along with ministry and pastoral assistants, who were also preparing for the school year 鈥� attended numerous training sessions. A sampling of topics included diversity and identity, led by professors and , sex and relationships led by Professor , power and systems led by Professor , and restorative justice practices and conflict styles led by , restorative justice coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee.

A series of meals prepared and hosted by the president鈥檚 cabinet and various other departments and faculty reinforced the sense of community and showed that EMU is 鈥渁n institution that cares deeply,鈥� said Scott Eyre, lead residence director. [Meet the .]

鈥淥ur faculty and staff care for our students and make it easy to enter into conversations and to learn from them, and to invite them into spaces and places. There are a lot of fingerprints on what we do in ,鈥� he said.

鈥楢ll based on care鈥�

As imperative and useful as the skills she learned in the days of training will be, Abigail Shelly, a sophomore social work major from Collinsville, Mississippi, was most inspired by something less tangible. 鈥淚 think through seeing the different residence directors and people leading, seeing how much care they put into this before we鈥檝e gotten here, has made me feel like I鈥檓 better equipped to reflect that on the people who are going to be hall residents,鈥� she said.听

All CAs are strongly encouraged to connect intentionally with each pair of roommates early in the first semester, an idea Eyre picked up several years ago from a CA whose hallway 鈥渇lourished.鈥� That鈥檚 just one way CAs will help their diverse hallway communities function in a healthy way, which isn鈥檛 an easy task, said Eyre. Hall members can include Mennonites and non-Mennonites, people with different racial and political backgrounds, people with various experiences of what 鈥渃ommunity鈥� means, and more.

鈥淗ow do you invite people into a space where all that can translate? How can you help them care, and know and want to be with each other?鈥� Eyre said.

Such attempts also help students make better choices, said Eyre, because 鈥渨hen you know the people you live with in a residence hall, they can come into your decision-making.鈥�

Shelly says that the big picture of care encompasses even the interactions between residence life staff and students who may break rules.

鈥淚t鈥檚 all based on care. When I heard it last year, I thought, 鈥極K, it鈥檚 a Christian university, they need to say that鈥� 鈥� but seeing that in action and in conversation? I’d say the sessions have been great, but it’s more about seeing how the RDs care for each other, and then in turn care for us, and then how that will trickle down to the residents, as well. Their cups are completely overflowing,鈥� Shelly said.

鈥业苍惫别蝉迟尘别苍迟蝉鈥�

For all their work, Eyre said that CAs might not see the return on the investments they make in people even though those returns may well be very real. 鈥淪omewhere down the line, five, ten years from now, people who came here as 18-year-olds to live in this community and maybe don’t quite get it now, or are not really interested in it, all of a sudden they might find themselves married, having kids, working a job, whatever it is. Some of these deposits that these CAs made in their lives early on, right now, they might look back and say, 鈥楾hat experience is really helping me right now.鈥� Maybe the CA will never know, and the residence director will never know, and a professor will never know.鈥�

But sometimes they will know. Eyre can remember 鈥� from when he was a CA over a decade ago 鈥� people whose words and actions showed that they didn鈥檛 like being at EMU. 鈥淏ut some of those people work here now,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 lot of those people give to the school. EMU changes lives even if you don’t want your life changed while you鈥檙e here.鈥�

Shelly, who decorated her hallway with lights and artwork to 鈥渟et the tone and make it a homey place,鈥� says seeing her freshman year CA bring students with different backgrounds together into a community with 鈥渢hick and foundational鈥� relationships inspired her to become a CA.

Elizabeth Eutsler, a biology major from Waynesboro, Virginia, also credits her freshman year CA with getting her interested in the role. That CA encouraged her to apply for the job, Eutsler said, even though 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have the confidence to think that I could do it.鈥� Now she鈥檚 a senior and entering her third year as a CA: 鈥淚t was intimidating, but I was like, 鈥業鈥檓 going to do this,鈥� and I did it.鈥�

Eutsler said she gets excited about meeting new people and incoming first-year students, but this year it was something else that made her recommit to the program. 鈥淚 realized that I had such a great support system in residence life that I couldn鈥檛 not come back. It鈥檚 such a great community to be in, and it鈥檚 just really made me feel at home as a person, and so I decided to stay, because I knew I couldn鈥檛 miss out on that aspect of my life. They鈥檝e been great.鈥�

Professors and presented a historical overview, a personal account and general observations relating to diversity titled 鈥淪hifting Paradigms, Shifting Power: Diversity and a New Radical Anabaptist Community.鈥�

Before presenting highlights from a that shows EMU鈥檚 increasing diversity, Sawin noted that as a historian, he is 鈥渒eenly aware鈥� that once a history is written, it is codified and becomes the story. But no historian knows everything or can include every story, he said, and so crafting a historical narrative inevitably silences countless voices and leaves out their experiences and perspectives.

With that limitation in mind, Sawin described aspects of the university鈥檚 struggles 鈥� and the context of the local and broader Mennonite communities鈥� struggles 鈥� with racial integration and inclusiveness. In 1925, for example, Virginia Mennonite Conference disapproved of marriages and close friendships between races. In the 1930s, though, Eastern Mennonite School students began crossing racial boundaries in their community involvements. In 1949, the first black student enrolled full time at Eastern Mennonite College. Ultimately, EMC would become a forerunner of college integration, and when in 1959 The Richmond Times Dispatch ran a story on six Virginia colleges accepting black students, EMC was declared the first to do so.

Sawin pointed out that tumultuous times such as the Great Depression or after World War II spawned change, which was often initiated not by established leadership but by students and faculty activists.

Fellow presenter Melody Pannell鈥檚 own story is very much a part of EMU鈥檚 widening diversity. Pannell graduated as one of 70 American students of color from EMU in 1997, and would go on to become the director of the university鈥檚 multicultural services and a professor. In her presentation she traced her own story as , Nw Yr.

Pannell鈥檚 mother was a plain-dressed conservative Mennonite from a German-Swiss, Pennsylvania Dutch community in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Her father, from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was an African American who was introduced to the Mennonite church through Newlinville Mennonite Church as a teenager. Later he became the first African American ordained pastor through Lancaster Mennonite Conference at Seventh Avenue Church. They married in 1964 while serving in Harlem.

While her father鈥檚 dreams of attending EMC were never fulfilled, Pannell would become 鈥渁 loyal, supportive, dedicated and active member of the campus community.鈥� It wasn鈥檛 easy being biracial at EMU, half 鈥渆thnic Mennonite鈥� but still noticeable in Lehman Auditorium in 鈥渢he sea of straight brown and blond hair, and blue eyes,鈥� and still often treated as 鈥渙ther.鈥� But her admissions counselor had told her, 鈥淵ou need EMU, but EMU needs you,鈥� and she began to believe that her role here would be 鈥渁n exchange.鈥�

And it would be an exchange. Her professors, she said, cared about her life and trajectory 鈥� which is now part of African American people鈥檚 own legacies in the story of EMU.

Sawin and Pannell closed the session with several observations about the the EMU community:

• The EMU student body and constituency has changed and will continue to change, and these changes will bring greater diversity.
• EMU is a Mennonite institution with many values and traditions that are important. We have a unique and important voice and mission.
• Progress comes from change, and change has most often been driven by those outside the central power structures.
• Groups that feel comfortable and confident in their identity are better able to engage and embrace new ideas and new groups.

With love in action as the guiding theme of the 2017 , several 草莓社区 and Eastern Mennonite Seminary faculty and staff are sharing their research and wisdom at the Orlando, Florida, event.

Among the featured speakers to address youth is Assistant Professor of Social Work Melody Pannell, who wrote in a , 鈥淚 sense a strong call for the church to continue shifting our response to injustice.鈥�

She continues: Instead of showing love with just our words, we must begin speaking truth to power and taking deliberate and sustainable action in love. 鈥淟ove is a Verb鈥� is more than just a 鈥渢heme.鈥� This is a call to a higher level of discipleship and a deeper willingness to sacrifice ourselves and embody the love of Jesus Christ. It is a call to 鈥渓ay down our lives for our brothers and sisters鈥� in a way that utilizes our collective and individual power, influence and resources to dismantle gender discrimination, address historical harms and resist structural racism.

Pannell, who was born and raised in Harlem, New York City, grew up attending Seventh Avenue Mennonite Church in Harlem and attended 草莓社区. After graduating in 1997, she worked and earned both a Masters in Social Work and a Master of Divinity degree.

At the conference, Pannell shares her personal story and the challenges of finding and living in her own 鈥溾�� in a presentation for youth, as well as three other presentations on sexualization and healthy sexuality, a restorative approach to broken boundaries in congregational life, and her work as founder of Destiny鈥檚 Daughters Empowerment Ministry.

Other presenters include:

• , director of athletics and author of 鈥�,鈥� speaking to both adults and youth about living and playing with a healthy balance;
• , professor at EMS, speaking to youth about decision-making for the future and the relationship of sports and faith;
• , associate dean at EMS and professor of Bible and religion at EMU, on 鈥淢ine, Ours, and Yours: Taking Care of Stuff鈥�;
• , professor of education, pairing with Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, restorative justice coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee, to host two sessions for youth on restorative justice for difficult conversations and the basics of circle processes.

Among the featured speakers were alumni Lisa Cameron ’99, director of empowerment services at the YWCA Lancaster, and Phil Kniss ’82, MDiv ’95, pastor at Park View Mennonite Church, as well as two authors who have spoken at EMU, and .

Other faculty, staff and student involvement

Numerous EMU faculty, staff and students are at the convention as delegates for church-wide business sessions representing their home congregations, or as youth group sponsors from their home congregations. These include , undergraduate academic dean, representing Park View Mennonite Church; Ronda Rittenhouse, assistant to the undergraduate dean and youth sponsor for Lindale Mennonite Church, and others.

President is taking part in activities and will bring greetings to an alumni gathering hosted by Jeff Shank, director of alumni and parent engagement. More than 175 EMU and Eastern Mennonite Seminary graduates have registered for the reunion.

Leah Wenger, a sophomore, played a key role in planning this year’s new program for youth.听The goal of 鈥淪tep Up鈥� is to prepare and launch young people into future involvement as denominational delegates and church leaders who are involved with the broader church. Read more .

Shana Peachy Boshart听’86 led the planning for the Step Up program; she is an EMU board of trustee member听听and听Conference Minister for Christian Formation and听Youth Ministry for the denomination’s Central Plains Mennonite Conference.

Senior Nicole Litwiller is representing EMU at the , a “gathering to imagine an Anabaptist future for Mennonite Church USA.” , affiliate associate professor at EMU’s , is facilitating the summit.

Collaborative Mennonite higher ed branding

Snapping fingers affirmed this statement on 草莓社区 on Friday, Jan. 13. Thirteen students, faculty and staff took turns reading the document in the President鈥檚 Room as part of the 2017 MLK Jr. Celebration. Six other groups met simultaneously on campus, each reading a different letter, sermon or speech.

鈥淚 love his boldness,鈥� said junior Hannah Shultz, who attended the reading circle on the 鈥淟etter from the Birmingham Jail.鈥� Shultz says that MLK, Jr.鈥檚 differentiation between just and unjust laws, the latter which 鈥渋n good conscience, I cannot obey,鈥� struck her.

The reading circles were just one of several activities during Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week from Jan. 11-16.

This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淔or Such a Time as This,鈥� comes from the Bible verse Esther 4:14, in which Esther鈥檚 cousin Mordecai convinces the young queen to intervene on behalf of her persecuted people.

Later that evening, 10 students helped prepare the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in preparation for Sunday鈥檚 service. The church is in the historically black area of Harrisonburg known as the Northeast neighborhood, formerly known as 鈥淣ewtown.鈥�

On Saturday, the EMU community made its fifth annual sojourn to Tyrone Sprague鈥檚 barber shop six stories above Court Square for 鈥淏arbershop 101,鈥� a discussion about Harrisonburg鈥檚 history of racial relations.

Shultz also attended the Sunday service at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Newtown.

鈥淭he Spirit was moving through that small church in ways I have not seen before,鈥� said Shultz, a music education major who especially enjoyed the integration of the EMU Gospel Choir into the service. 鈥淲hile The Rev. Dr. Chinita Richardson was preaching, the gospel choir musicians added music to emphasize what she spoke or agree with it. The life and energy that was produced filled the church and I had this sense of awe … I left the building encouraged to be the leper who returned to Jesus and thanked Him for the healing that changed his life.鈥�

鈥淎dditionally, we went to John Wesley United Methodist Church and set up tables, and centerpieces for Sunday’s community lunch which followed the church service,鈥� says , the celebration committee co-chair and co-director of EMU鈥檚 Multicultural Services.

Monday鈥檚 formal Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration included a march and chapel. About 50 people 听 into chapel 鈥渢o show gratitude to the work of MLK,鈥� said EMU Black Student Union Co-president Tae Dews. Dews and co-president Oksana Kittrell organized the demonstration.

鈥淲hile doing so we asked the participants to reflect on the meaning of peace, and how this might show up in their everyday lives,鈥� said Dews.

Junior Cameron White choreographed the Alpha and Omega Dancers鈥� routine for chapel and sang in the Gospel Choir. White, also program coordinator for the Black Student Union, said later she was impressed by how many 鈥減eople are willing to help out for the cause.鈥�

The service included a selection by student Maleke Jones; an invocation by Brian Martin Burkholder; reflections from President Susan Schultz Huxman; a spoken word performance by graduate student Julian Turner; a scripture reading by White; and a greeting from Mayor Deanna Reed, who recently became Harrisonburg鈥檚 first black councilwoman and mayor.

The Rev. Dr. Chinita Richardson, of Bethel A.M.E. Church, gave the sermon, focusing on hope and faith through adversity.

The symposium and public lecture were organized and facilitated by Professor as part of her multi-year 鈥淪ilent Violence鈥� project. Her research, which with a grant from , has focused on how abused individuals in marginalized communities employ resilient strategies to survive, endure and sometimes escape their situations.

While the first year of the project focused on surfacing individual stories and the second year on community services, the third year has emphasized the role of institutions. In March 2016, Stauffer organized a with both preventative goals and healing through arts-based approaches. One of Stauffer鈥檚 research questions, which widened the investigative scope to communities and institutions, was 鈥淗ow are our ideologies or institutions complicit?鈥�

鈥淚nstitutions frequently perpetuate injury to survivors by means of denial and silence,鈥� says Stauffer.听 鈥淢y hope is that institutions such as EMU can become models of accountability and support in instances of sexual harms. This would substantiate our commitment to non-violence in the most core parts of our life as a community.鈥�

Other campus events in October and November included the chapel and Take Back the Night events (coverage forthcoming). The campus-wide collaborative effort, said Interim President Lee Snyder, was prepared to 鈥渉elp us as a community and as individuals 鈥榞row our capacity to respond to sexual violence in just and transformative ways鈥欌�� [as articulated by the planners].

‘Learn from our mistakes’

In both presentations, Doyle urged listeners 鈥渢o learn from the horrific mistakes other denominations have made, especially the ones the Catholic Church has made.鈥� He has been involved in the issue since it first surfaced to the public in 1984. While a diplomatic officer at the Vatican Embassy in Washington D.C., he was assigned administrative duties to handle the case involving a Louisiana priest.

His experience of meeting a young victim began a 32-year journey of victim advocacy that has called his religious beliefs into question at times and caused him to reinvent his own spirituality. Because of his experiences, Doyle prefers not to use a priestly title or wear clerical clothing. He has been a frequent speaker at Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) functions, and in his lecture, referenced the Anabaptist-Mennonite chapter, .

The biggest mistake of the leadership of the Catholic Church, Doyle said, was the attempt to cover up and contain the issue, and to 鈥渞efuse to treat the victims as Christ would have treated them,鈥� Doyle said. The church is not a building or a faceless entity, but rather, 鈥渢he people, the people of God,鈥� and because of this importance, leaders must prioritize the welfare of the victims over the image and preservation of the institution. 鈥淭ake the risk. We鈥檙e Christians. Do what you think Christ might do.鈥�

Panel addresses aspects of institutional involvement

In the three-hour morning session for faculty and staff, Doyle鈥檚 keynote address was followed by a panel presentation facilitated by Stauffer and Professor and including:

• Abigail Bush, alumna and former co-president of EMU鈥檚 student-led ;
• Jackie Hieber, prevention coordinator at in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which provides crisis, treatment and prevention services as well as annual training to EMU students;
• , EMU restorative justice coordinator and a member of the international Campus PRISM Project, which focuses on restorative initiatives for sexual misconduct on college campuses;
• , professor at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, and a member of Mennonite Church USA鈥檚 Sexual Abuse Prevention Panel;
• , research professor at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and advocate for just and healthy responses to sexual violence in Mennonite institutions who helped facilitate Doyle鈥檚 presence on campus;
• , professor in applied social sciences at EMU, race and diversity facilitator and founder of Destiny鈥檚 Daughters Empowerment Ministry.

Panel members addressed various issues around institutional involvement in cases of sexual abuse: victims鈥� needs, walking with survivors, increasing accountability and transparency, institutional responses to offenders and others affected, issues of race and identity, and best practices. Following the panel, participants were invited to reflect in table groups and write suggestions for how EMU can continue to improve response to sexual harms.

Doyle鈥檚 evening lecture, which drew community members and also faculty and staff who had participated in the earlier event, was followed by similar opportunities to reflect, process and provide recommendations to improve processes and responses.

The 鈥渆xpression stations鈥濃�攚hich included facilitated discussion, a reflection corner, candle lighting and a prayer vigil, and a word mural鈥� were coordinated by two student-run groups, the Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention and Take Back the Night. Participants were also encouraged to express themselves through letters, which would be delivered to leadership for review and processing.

Sonya Shaver contributed to this article.

鈥淪he鈥檚 lots of things to lots of people,鈥� as 草莓社区 (EMU) instructor and Restorative Justice Coordinator said, introducing Millsaps to his 鈥淓thics in the Way of Jesus鈥� class this past week.

Millsaps brought those varied experiences and gifts to EMU in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Sept. 19-23, serving as visiting pastor and leading important conversations around the topics of racism and unjust structures. Venues included chapel services, classes, meetings with administrators and student groups, and a late-evening 鈥淨uestions After Dark鈥� residence hall discussion.

During “Questions After Dark,” students were encouraged to write questions on slips of paper, which were then answered by Millsaps. 鈥淭he first question drawn during our time asked her to tell a story that was dear to her heart,鈥� said Scott Eyre, residence director. 鈥淭he story was raw and personal and I think it created an intimacy and honesty right away 鈥� students were captivated by her personality and honesty.鈥�

Reflecting on her time on campus, Millsaps said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 been more than interesting to be in this space, to see the love and commitment of a university that is stretching itself, pushing itself, farther and farther.鈥�

Millsaps, an alumna of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, continued to push EMU, too. In a chapel address Friday morning, Millsaps challenged the very title: 鈥淕rounded in Christ Amid Systemic Racism.鈥�

鈥淐hristianity amid systemic racism is an oxymoron,鈥� Millsaps told a large crowd in Lehman Auditorium. She recounted some of the acts of racism that have occurred in the nation鈥檚 history and then observed, 鈥淎ll the history of things that have happened in the U.S. happened under the watch of Christianity.鈥�

In her presentation to Swartz鈥檚 class, she told more personal stories of ways that racism had affected family members and others close to her. In one incident, her son was arrested after being involved in a bank robbery, during which another young man she knew well was killed.

鈥淚t was the hardest thing I ever had to go through,鈥� Millsaps said. 鈥淚t changed my entire life. Who I believed God to be was challenged.鈥�

She criticized a justice system 鈥渄esigned to grab them all and wrap them all up in one little package鈥� and one that only works if 鈥測ou鈥檙e white and have money.鈥� A good attorney was able to provide fair representation for her son, she said, but many others go through the system without that advantage. She encouraged students to consider entering the field of law and providing counsel for those who can鈥檛 afford it.

Millsaps also noted issues such as unfair jury selection practices, the number of children in Black communities who grow up without fathers, the punitive nature of justice in the United States and other factors.

鈥淚t is amazing, the things that happen and why they happen,鈥� she said. 鈥淯ntil you are on the margins, you don鈥檛 really understand what I鈥檓 speaking about.鈥�

In another class, 鈥檚 鈥淐ovenant and Community: Introduction to the Bible,鈥� Millsaps touched on Anabaptist values and spoke about the role the Bible plays in her life, and about people of faith who have made a difference in her life.

鈥淚 sensed that students appreciated her honesty and strong convictions,鈥� Schrock-Hurst said. 鈥淎t a university that lacks diverse faculty, it was a gift to have Cyneatha in the classroom.鈥�

At the Friday chapel, Campus Pastor praised Millsaps鈥� 鈥渨ealth of experience鈥� and thanked her 鈥渇or being present and listening and receiving and giving鈥� during the week.

鈥淲e will be sending you with our prayers,鈥� he said.