By LAURA BORRELLI
Web Editor
In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. The Office of Intercultural Leadership held week long events for students to become more culturally aware and embrace the diversity at Saint Rose. On Friday, Jan. 17, an event was held where volunteers were able to create care packages for survivors of human trafficking. The event was held in the EAC Main Lounge.
Lamara Burgess, director of diversity and inclusion and coordinator of conflict mediation, worked with the MLK planning committee to create, lead, and organize the events for the Saint Rose community. Burgess described her role as working behind the scenes and figuring out the “logistics” of the ideas the committee had.
“The purpose of the event is to celebrate the great work and values of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Burgess. She said that some of his values were love, equality, service, leadership, and education; she wanted the events to showcase those values to the Saint Rose community.
This is Burgess’ third year working at Saint Rose, and her fourth year overseeing MLK week. Students took the lead and reached out to the speaker for the event, Deborah McKenzie Fowler, the CEO of Eyes Wide Open, an organization providing hope and sancuatary for victims of human trafficking.
Fowler spoke to students about how human trafficking is a very difficult topic to understand, but there is always something you can do.
“Nothing you do is never too small, it is always enough,” said Fowler.
The care packages the students made are “monumental” to a woman who has been isolated, secluded, and traumatized according to Fowler. She discussed how important it is to those women for people in the community to show their support.
This is one of Fowler’s passions, and she said she wants to provide love and hope, “the most human need,” to these women. Fowler wants to raise awareness that human trafficking can and does happen to anyone.
“No one was talking about it but it was happening,” said Fowler. Staying alert and being more diligent for caring about others is important in addressing the issue. Rallying together as a community to fight against human trafficking is one way to help.
Social work major Tanaesha Spaulding gave insight and ideas to help prepare for the event. Spaulding is a junior who completes a work study at the Office of Intercultural Leadership.
“These events help people become informed of cultural diversity.” said Spaulding. This event directly related to human trafficking helps people aware of what is going on in our community.
Spaulding also said that survivors are very strong women, “if we can find the best way to help them, why not help.”
Burgess said care packages were the best way to help because they are easily transportable and provide small necessities that they may not have. These women run for their lives and do not look back; they forget the simple things that we may take for granted.
The goal for the event was 20 kits, and they succeeded in making more. Burgess wanted volunteers to help with making the packages personalized.
“Hearing ‘You matter’ can help someone feel valued and important. Personalization can bring a smile to their face in a dark time,” said Burgess.
The goal for the event was to bring awareness and educate students about human trafficking and make people more aware of maginalized communities. Inclusion and diversity is important, and is something that is valued at Saint Rose. The events this week educated students and made them more aware about things directly impacting the surrounding community.
