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Aspiring Minority Youth Conference Speaker Empowers Eudience
By Artisha Lawson
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
The Aspiring Minority Youth Conference has connected
audiences comprised of parents, group leaders and local
youth, with professional speakers who focus on the elements
necessary to inspire minority youth of Toledo.
On January 25, 2014 the 30th annual conference,
utilized the theme, “Social Justice: Understanding Its Past,
Living Its Present, Creating Its Future” and was held at The
University of Toledo’ Student Union. Over 300 individuals
attended, in spite of serious weather conditions.
Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success
Director David Young explained the theme’s importance that
was outlined in the conference booklet, “Our theme this year
… focuses on how critical it is that young people begin to
understand they are not the future, but our present and must
expect the mantle of leadership in the area of social
justice that elders pass to them.”
Alexis Means of 13 ABC Action News served as mistress of
ceremony. The conference opened with the National Anthem, a
moment of silence to honor Nelson Mandela, official
greetings from elected officials and community leaders, a
musical selection Freedom Song that was performed by UT
Gospel Choir and a keynote address by featured speaker Diane
Nash.
Nash, a renowned civil rights and peace activist, outlined
the path to create social change, and presented a definition
of demonstrations and non-violent resistance.
“Demonstrations focus on community problems. Resistance, a
more hardcore method, takes on an unjust system,” said Nash.
Resistance examples: non-payment of taxes, and work
stoppage.
“Protests say I don’t like or we don’t like an action or
activity. Non-violent protest means you start where you are
and work through a process until you reach the objective.
Realizing that action strategy could also be included to
reach the objective,” shared Nash.
Immediately following the featured speaker, Young opened the
floor for audience questions and then presented Nash with an
appreciation gift. “I accept this on the behalf of
thousands. I couldn’t have done this by myself, many were
responsible for the movement, and many sacrifices were
greater than mine,” stated Nash.
“These students will never be the same,” said Young while
students and parents prepared for the second half of the
conference. The second portion separated students from
parents and focused on empowerment exercises. The breakout
sessions were moderated by volunteers and experts in their
fields. |
