Acclaimed poet and author Nikky Finney paid tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. during her keynote address for Vanderbilt University’s virtual commemoration on Jan. 17.
In keeping with the MLK Day event theme, ‘Where We Belong—Building the Beloved Community,’ Finney honored generations of Black women who nurtured, educated and inspired King and countless others through what she calls the “motherload” of knowledge. She described what she called the long and invisible lists of Black women at the center of every state’s historical fight for civil and human justice.
“The combined forces of race, sex, and economic discrimination have imposed upon Black women a severely disadvantaged status, but nevertheless Black women have created and cultivated a set of ethical and moral values that defy the status quo,” Finney said.
“This beloved community that the world so desperately needs will require remembering and including the voices and the wisdom of this motherload, whether we know their names or not.”
Finney is the author of On Wings Made of Gauze, Rice, The World Is Round and Head Off & Split: Poems, which won the National Book Award for Poetry in 2011. Her newest collection of poems, Love Child’s Hotbed of Occasional Poetry, was published in 2020. She is currently the John H. Bennett, Jr. Endowed Professor of Creative Writing and Southern Letters at the University of South Carolina, with appointments in the Department of English Language and Literature and the African American Studies program.
The talk began with personal remarks by Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier; Dr. André Churchwell, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer; and ended with a ‘question and answer,’ hosted by Major Jackson, director of creative writing and Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English.
Finney’s address was the culmination of a virtual program that began with the annual interfaith candlelight vigil. It featured students from Melanated A Cappella, Vandy Karma, Collegiate Black Christians, the Muslim Student Association, the Jewish Student Association, and the Divinity School.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Series was established at Vanderbilt in 1985. The university community gathers annually on this national holiday for a series of programs, including participation in the citywide march, community service, educational forums and lectures. In honoring King, Vanderbilt University affirms its own commitment to the goals of peace and racial justice to which King dedicated his life.
To watch the address, click HERE.
