Martin Luther King, Jr. Protest

King encourages womento lead

Coretta Scott King promotes Women's Heritace Month

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eats filled quickly in the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center as nearly 700 people filed in to hear Coretta Scott King's speech entitled, "The Role of Women in the New Millennium." People squirmed in their seats as they turned to see King enter as time approached for the speech March 28.

After a standing ovation, Reverand E.D. Butler, who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. on Washington, D.C. and in Montgomery, Ala., presented the opening invocation. Mayor John Fernandez welcomed and thanked Mrs. King for taking time to visit Bloomington, and Mary Smith-Forest introduced the woman with countless honors and awards.

The audience was on its feet once again as King made her way to the stage. She smiled and thanked Bloomington for the welcome and jumped into her speech.

She joked with the men in the audience when she introduced her speech and said she hoped none of them were offended because she was somewhat partial in her views. "I am here to call for a great expanded leadership role for women in shaping the future of America and the world," she said.

King continued to talk about the different types of leadership roles women were starting to fill. Pointing out women held key positions in the arts, business, politics, science and education, she encouraged women to continue to fight for their share of the limelight — much like the number of women stars in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Quoting mega-stars songwriter Annie Lennox and singer Aretha Franklin, she said "the sisters are indeed doing it for themselves." The crowd broke into applause and smiles as King continued talking about women as leaders in a variety of areas.

She pointed out that not only were women involved in every aspect of struggle throughout history, but many carried movements of their own — from the abolitionist movement through the civil rights movement. "There has been a long line of `sheros' that include Abigail Adams, Sojourner Truth, Ida Wells Barnett, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary McCloud Bethune and Rosa Parks, who's courage and moral leadership have challenged the conscience of America," she said.

She introduced the idea of the unsung `sheros' who made a difference in the modern day. These women who suffered through generations of oppression so their children would have

by Meredith Bledsoe

a better life. Mother Hale in Harlem dedicated her life to help poor and abandoned children, and a Mississippi woman who saved money from her modest wages washing clothes and formed a $150,000 scholarship fund for black students at University of Mississippi. "Usually these women remain unknown. They work and sacrifice and struggle to make a better way for the next generation," she said. "Let us never forget that they are leaders, too."

Encouraging women to continue to stniggle for more opportunities and equality, she reminded the audience these unsung `sheros' belonged to everyone's family. And from these unsung 'sheros,' women needed to remember them and thank them for their contributions to the equality struggle. Usually these women remain unknown. They work and sacrifice and struggle to make a better way for the next generation. Let us never forget that they are leaders, too. CorettaScott King

While women made significant strides, they were still locked out of power in business and government. She said while women made up 53 percent of the population, they held only 60 of 535 seats in Congress, and a little more than 21 percent of all state government jobs. She pressed women to get involved with politics and to support women politicians.

When the crowd finally sat after a long standing ovation, several Monroe County school children presented huge bouquets of flowers to King. She hugged them and left for a reception. LI

Before her speech, Coretta Scott King listens to the invocation at the Convention Center March 28. Reverand E.D. Butler, who delivered the prayer, marched with Martin Luther King Jr. on Washington and in Montgomery, Ala., during the Civil Rights Movement. Photo by Jensen Walker.

A time to demandchange

Stucent Codition organizes protest on <ing Day

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long line of protesters wound its way through campus, and one woman voiced her frustration with the need for change. Then, 10 to 15 people chimed in, echoing the woman's determination and spirit. Soon more than 400 voices rang as one. "What do we want? Change! When do we want it? Now!" Members of the Student Coalition marched on Martin Luther King Day and voiced their concerns for a diversity friendly campus. Among other things, members protested for improved minority retention and recruitment.

What started as a rumor — and turned into a campus-wide debate — changed the face of student activism. Organized from the roots up by students, the march and protest blew the idea of the apathetic college student out of the water.

The protest quickly gained the attention of not only the administration, but also the Bloomington and state media. In the 1960s style of peaceful protest, the organizers encouraged change by standing firm.

At the steps of Showalter Fountain, students, faculty and members of more than 33 student groups united to fight for common goals. With speeches, chants and songs, organizers of the protest talked about the importance of the event. The crowd grew when curious passers-by stopped to listen. "We're about to make our own legacy at IU-Bloomington. We're making history here today — history that people are going to talk about history people are going to build on," said senior Philmore Hutchins. "This is only the beginning."

The Student Coalition distributed flyers with instructions for

by Jennifer Emily

a peaceful protest and raised a painted banner reading, "Heirs to the Revolution." Protesters kept to the sidewalk and made way for those not participating in the march. The curious peeked out from the windows of Ballantine Hall and the Chemistry Building as the marchers moved toward the Old Crescent. "I want to thank everyone for having the courage and forethought to come together and rally," said Coalition leader and graduate student Pete Adams. "We need you to help us turn the rhetoric into action."

Junior Ryan Vertner, a protest organizer, said the Coalition formed because IU failed to meet the needs of minorities. "There are issues the University needs to address and it's not being done rapidly enough," he said.

The Coalition promised a revolution. And they succeeded.

After reaching their final destination, the crowd assembled in front of the Sample Gates. Speeches from Coalition leaders kept the protesters spirited and hot chocolate kept them warm in the chilly weather.

While the crowd of protesters remained in the cold outside Bryan Hall, six protest organizers met with IU Vice President and Bloomington Chancellor Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis for five hours to discuss the Coalition's seven demands: Approval and implantation of Latino Studies Department Appointment of an Asian-American Advocacy Dean Creation of an Asian Culture Center Continued maintenance and expansion of Office of Diversity programs University funding and permanence of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Student Support Services Office An increase in non-white and female faculty University-wide recognition of Mart in Luther King Jr. Day

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Opposite page: Senior Glenn Murphy holds up a sign that reads, "Jan. 20, 1997 The Revolution Begins. - As the estimated 400 protesters marched by Ballantine Hall they chanted, "The students united, will never be defeated." Photo by Kevin Stuart. Below: Sophomore Tyrese Alexander cheers in support of speaker senior Philmore Hutchins in front of Showalter Fountain. About 400 students gathered together in a march from the fountain to Bryan Hall. The march attracted students, faculty and even some families. Photo by Jensen Walker.

The day of protest meant more than just the demands, it was also about education. In a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s emphasis on learning, the Coalition organized "teach-ins" before the march at the Black Cultural Center, La Casa and the International Center. Some of the topics, supported and led by faculty members included: "Asian American Students Issues at IU," "Journalism and Activism" and "Student Activism and Social Change."

After a long meeting with the six negotiators, Gros Louis, an administrator for more than 20 years, said the idea of a student coalition was unique and he had not seen anything like it while at IU. "The key thing is that they were organized. For the first time since I've been in office, students representing various organizations came together," Gros Louis said. "In the past black students, Latino students and students from the GLB community made separate requests. It was the first time they made a collective request. It was helpful to me that they were prepared to recognize others' requests and that financial resources are limited and one group might get less and others might get more."

The following day, Gros Louis announced his support for all seven of the Coalitions goals at the Bloomington Faculty Meeting. He promised IU would implement a Latino studies degree, but whether it would be a department or programs depended on the writing of the curriculum.

The University would establish an Asian Culture Center. Gros Louis promised $50,000 of funding to establish the center. If additional funds were needed Gros Louis said he would actively seek funding from the BFC. The Coalition demanded an Asian-American Advocacy Dean, but a deanship could only be created by the BFC . continued

Above: At Showalter Fountain, the destination of the march, Coalition leaders Pete Adams and Ryan Vertner speak to the crowd. They held an open-mic session where members of the crowd spoke about why they attended the march. Photo By Kevin Stuart.

Above Right: Students wait in the chilly January weather in front of the Sample Gates. Hot chocolate was available to warm the protesters while the six negotiators worked to meet the demands proposed by the Coalition. Photo By Kevin Stuart.

Right: Sophomore Keri Jeter looks on as a crowd gathers in front of Showalter Fountain. More than 33 student organizations participated in the protest. Photo By Matt McClain.