Patrick Alexander, associate professor of English and African American studies, delivered his keynote speech on Martin Luther King’s mission for the “Lift Every Voice” celebration on Monday, which began the month-long celebration of Black History Month.
“(Black History Month) is both an opportunity to reflect upon the incredible sacrifices, incredible work of people — in my case, my ancestors — who have done so much that I have the opportunity to do the things that I’m passionate about today,” Alexander said.
Alexander and Nichelle Robinson, associate professor of teacher education and School of Education diversity officer, received the Lift Every Voice Award for work against injustice,dedication to inclusion and energy toward the betterment of the community.
Through education, he stated that he became a student of King and became very interested in mass incarceration.
“Following the publication of King’s letter is unrelenting passion… for social change. (He) sorely needed the partnership of hundreds of Birmingham’s black students,” Alexander said of King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
“(Students) whose decision to live out the ideals of nonviolent resistance that King scripted and his letter will ultimately move the world to action,” he said.
Alexander is the co-founder of the university’s Prison-to-College Pipeline Program (PTCPP), which gives incarcerated people access to higher education.
He spoke of a significant partnership with anti-prison activist Angela Davis during his time with the Stepping Stones program in North Carolina. Davis was imprisoned for political activism around prisoners’ rights.
“Davis would continue to teach behind bars while also teaching (at) universities,” Alexander said. ”When our (Orange Correctional Center) students learned that I had given Angela Davis a copy of their collection of writings… they were floored.”
Alexander said he plans to further his activism and expand his mass-incarceration work.
“It looks like we will be able to reach a larger mass of incarcerated students with higher education in this state… and train more teachers to do that work,” Alexander said. “Build(ing) relationships with people who care about these issues … is amazing.”
Katrina Caldwell, vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement, spoke of the impact Black History Month holds.
“Despite the progress that still needs to be made each day, we can choose to use our talents to envision and create a world that is fairer, more just, more equitable and more kind than the world we knew,” Caldwell said.
The names of the event is inspired by “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” by J. Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson, which speakers called the Black National Anthem, and the event included the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir to start the celebration.
“I think this is going to be a great way to show what Black History Month is all about and celebrating who we are and what we stand for and where we are today in America,” choir director Jasmene Mitchell said.
Alexander expressed gratitude for people who helped him create and expand his program.
“Do you really believe the injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Alexander asked just before leaving the stage. “What are you and your unrelenting partners gonna do about it?”
