Diversity and Inclusion Holds Black Lives Matter Vigil

Diversity and Inclusion at Marist held a vigil to take a moment of silence for all the Black lives lost in 2020. The event took place on the night of Nov. 6, and despite the bitter cold, students stopped to light a candle in honor of Black lives. 

Source: Greta Stuckey ‘23

“The vigil was a moment of silence, remembrance and appreciation of the Black lives lost,” Diversity and Inclusion Representative Kumba Nyang ‘23 said.

Students who came to the vigil were given a flameless candle to light and set behind the backdrop of a Black Lives Matter banner. In addition, student representatives for Diversity and Inclusion gave out Black Lives Matter pins. After lighting a candle, students took a moment of silence and reflected on the year of 2020 thus far. 

“The vigil is very important to me because of everything going on, like the protests and the demand for justice are all important,” Nyang said. “But I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the Black lives lost everywhere. To remember that what happened to them should not have happened and should not happen ever again.”

The Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Asiyah Farhane ‘21 planned and executed the vigil. The Diversity and Inclusion organization works to make campus a more welcoming place for all students no matter their race, religion, sexual identity or disability. The student representatives and board members for the organization are in contact with a variety of the other Student Government Association (SGA) members to create lasting change on campus. 

“One of my board members is in contact with the safety and security board to work towards more things in the specific realm such as concerns of racial profiling,” Farhane said.

Diversity and Inclusion hopes to spread awareness of their work on campus and used the vigil as a way to connect the student body to the important issues facing Marist and the world. Having students come together to appreciate and remember all the black lives lost in 2020 helps build a stronger sense of community on campus. 

“Diversity and Inclusion hopes to create and foster a more inclusive Marist,” Nyang said. “We would like to make it known that everyone has a place here at Marist. We would like to have more events, and conversations to help make Marist a better place.” 

The college has also taken initiatives in Diversity and Inclusion through the creation of a board of trustees, a council, and resources implemented into the educational curriculum. The administration has emphasized the need for ongoing suggestions and listening sessions so they can successfully begin to foster a more comprehensive campus. On the Marist Website, the college is committed to being better listeners, implementing new staff and faculty training, including diversity and inclusion topics into the curriculum and making improvements with their hiring patterns.