James McBride speaks at the University

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and Student Development and Campus Activities (SDACA) presented James McBride: Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 31. Student organizations Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the Black Student Union and Caribbean Student Association co-sponsored the event.

OMA Director Denise Santiago opened the event by saying that her husband told her that she had to read one of McBride's books. At first she did not read it right away, but then she started reading it on her subway commute. Santiago said, "I felt as if I wanted to jump out of my skin."
After Santiago's opening, the next speaker was Dean for Students Marijo O'Grady. Dean O'Grady then gave the introduction for University President Stephen J. Friedman.

President Friedman gave his speech and discussed how he attended the historic March on Washington in 1963. He said, "There was nothing typical about that day." Before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his ten-minute speech there were various performances and speeches given. When Dr. King gave his speech, President Friedman said, "that the huge, hot, restless crowd fell silent."

President Friedman also read a quote from Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" which said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He closed his speech with, "Martin Luther King [did not only] have a dream, he had a deep understanding of the moral imperatives we all faced."

After President Friedman's speech, SDACA Director and Assistant Dean for Students David Clark introduced McBride and read a brief biography of McBride's accomplishments and current work.

McBride is an author, jazz musician and a professor at New York University (NYU). His critically acclaimed literary works include his memoir "The Color of Water," "Miracle at St. Anna" and "Song Yet Sung."
After much praise from the University Administration, McBride went to the podium and said, "You like me, you really like me." Immediately audience members laughed and knew that McBride had a good sense of humor.

In his presentation, McBride discussed the mid 1800 Maryland slave economy, Dr. King's historic 1963 March on Washington and the urban chaos and violence of the 21st century by reading the opening passage of "Song Yet Sung." He also gave a brief synopsis of the novel and in which there is a young girl living as a slave in the 1800s.

Despite serious topics, McBride was able to lighten the mood and gave a comic edge that made audience members enjoy his presence. It mainly focused on the youth and college audience.

McBride highlighted the fact that the young generation needs to learn "how to fail," like Dr. King. McBride added, "Most of what I do fails." He also said, "Forgive yourself for failing, when we fall we need to pick ourselves up off of that canvas."

Adding to his motivational speech McBride said, "Nobody can be you better than you." He added, "Don't let bitterness and cynicism destroy your dreams. Young people have been in view with such cynicism."
He also encouraged the University students who attended the event to enlist in study abroad. "We need the world to see the army of goodness that you represent," he said. McBride not only highlighted his experience and how much he learned but also how it opened his eyes to the world.

As a writer, McBride also discussed how the students should read more and believes that, "Reading is the real freedom." After his presentation there was a question and answer session along with a book signing, reception and a meet and greet with McBride.