Processing uncertainty in the world through engaging with the community and listening to others.

Attending a rally or marching for a cause has always felt like the natural response to challenging aspects of the world. My memories of struggling to see over crowds at climate rallies, or asking my dad to translate speeches in Spanish at women’s marches go back as far as I can remember. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand the power of coming together in community and the work still to be done by engaging in the world. 

On Sunday, Jan. 20, I went to the Eugene Martin Luther King Jr. march, a longstanding family tradition. The first speeches started just as Trump was being sworn in, and despite my stress and uncertainty, it felt like the right place to be. After a few morning speakers, there was some time before the march started when I was able to talk to some community members. Hearing their insights on the importance of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and engaging with Black history and culture reminded me of the importance of participating in one’s community as a whole.

Andiel Brown is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Eugene Springfield NAACP. Being a part of organizing the event has been important to him, and it was rewarding for him to see so many people show up.

“It speaks volumes to how many people feel that this is an important day,” Brown said. Even though a lot of people in attendance “don’t come from the culture, they are here,” he emphasized, taking part “because it means something to them.” 

Several hundred people gathered for the march, uniting across multiple generations.

“I love seeing that there are young people here as well, who are learning about the history and the tradition and the culture and the importance of the work that this man did and joining in the continuation of it,” Brown said.

Also among the community members were many current and former local elected officials, including former mayor Lucy Vinis, who served two terms, elected in 2016 and 2020. I was curious to hear what it meant to Vinis, who has had deep community involvement for many years — particularly with it taking place on inauguration.

“I wanted to show up with our community standing strong for justice and fairness,” she said, to show “that we’re in this community together, and we make it strong.”

This year’s MLK day celebration had different undertones than those of previous years, with President Trump’s inauguration taking place as the first speakers addressed the crowd on Monday morning.

“I think people feel strongly committed to being here today,” Vinis elaborated. “I think in contrast to our concerns about the national landscape, people felt this is a positive step they could take to be part of this march.”

Also in attendance was Bethany Palacios, the current Ms. Black Oregon USA. 

“Ms. Black USA is an all black girl pageant,” Palacios said, explaining how “originally, black women weren’t allowed to be in pageantry.” Originally from Liberia, Palacios was raised in McMinnville from the age of three and she spoke about the lack of diversity she noticed. She recounted how decades ago, the Ms. Black USA pageant was created as an opportunity for black women to be active in their community, increasing representation in activism and leadership. As Ms. Black Oregon, Palacios has been able to be involved in a number of community events, including a women’s march in Portland on Jan. 18. I asked her about what the MLK march meant to her.

“[It] really encourages me to see that people want to see inclusion, people value what Martin Luther King did, and they value equal rights,” Palacios said. 

She encourages everyone to increase their understanding of black history and culture, specifically by reading biographies of individual stories and experiences.

“When you really get to know people’s stories, you can understand and empathize,” she stated, adding that students should “get to know the students around you that are Black.” Listening to them and building friendships is a way to create community and build “more of a genuine connection” by learning what it’s like to be in their shoes.

The importance of reaching out and building connections was a message articulated by many throughout the day. I spoke with South senior Leo Victorin who is part of the NAACP Youth Council, and he told me about what the group does.

“[On Youth Council] we meet once a week, we host community events and we just hold a space for people to come speak their minds,” he explained. Victorin and a friend spoke at the Shedd in the afternoon about what they do as part of the Youth Council. His recommendation for students wanting to become more involved and learn about Black history and culture is to “just reach out.”

“If you see another Black student, they probably have some sort of connection,” he said. “It’s a deeper community than you really think … Everyone knows everyone; you kind of have to stick together. So, if you know someone just don’t be afraid to ask.”

Throughout the event, the strength of the community was clear. When I asked about Vinis’s tips for young people wanting to be more involved, she had nothing but encouragement.

“Have the courage to show up,” Vinis said. “You will make a difference.”

She elaborated on the ways that high schoolers can be involved, saying, “do your homework and figure out where it is you want to show up.” It’s important to figure out “what way you want to show up for your community.”

I leave events like these feeling inspired by the sense of community, and by how much I’m able to learn by listening to the people and groups around me. Engaging with community is critical, as both a way to connect with other like-minded people and as a way to learn more about culture, history and challenges you may not be as familiar with.

Article by Aria Lynn-Skov