Scituate students talk of love, unity at Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration

SCITUATE – The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of unity and his message of loving one another despite differences were highlighted in a virtual event involving students across Scituate.

The Scituate Public Schools held its first-ever memorial to the Rev. King via Zoom on Monday. It included songs, guest speakers and presentations from students, staff and community members.

Jamele Adams, the newly hired head of diversity, equity and inclusion for Scituate schools, said the event was "more than a presentation, more than a memorial. It's a journey."

Sympli Whitney, a musician from Clinton, opened with a rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which is often referred to as the Black national anthem.

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Third grader Ryan Louis said he wanted to speak at the event because he and the Rev. King share the same birth month. He said he wanted to spread love and stop racism.

"Love is strong and powerful," he said. "Love can stop racism. Spread kindness. Never make fun of someone's skin color and spread love."

Nessa, another Scituate elementary student, said the Rev. King showed people that "love is what the world was made for." She spoke about friends, teachers and other people in her life who demonstrate love, patience and unity.

Students from Wompatuck Elementary School put together a slideshow about the Rev. King's life, his accomplishments and what students should learn from his legacy. Artwork from students of all ages was shown, as was a detailed timeline of Black history and accomplishments by high school students.

Each of Scituate's public schools was represented at the event, as well as the Inly School.

In a prerecorded video, Cushing Elementary students said the Rev. King taught the world it didn't matter what people look like or where they come from.

"We're all different and that's what makes the world a beautiful place," one student said.

"What matters most is what's on the inside," another added.

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"Dr. King's message is a strong one that continues to impact our culture and our society today," Cushing Principal Donna Moffat said. "They consisted of values that, when lived, have the potential to unify."

Sheena Smead, a member of Scituate Pride, read a poem she wrote called "Don't Come for Mine," about the need she feels to protect nonwhite members of her family.

"My fears linger near with the conditions of society, the thoughts give me anxiety," she said. "Unless you want war knocking at your front door, don't come for mine. All you'll see is Black, and all I'll see is red."

The event was shown live on Scituate Community TV and will be available for playback.

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Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 'Connection, community' honored at Scituate school MLK Day celebration