Seizing Our Destiny...Continuing Their Legacy

Even through distance, the Overlake community continues its march for racial equity together.

Led by the students of Upper School's Impact Club, a virtual assembly was held to not only remember the work of civil right icons such as Dr. King, Rep. John Lewis and Rev. C.T Vivian, but also acknowledge and learn about so much work that needs to be done not only to battle racial inequality, but also climate change, voting rights, and Indigenous Peoples' Movement. "Doctor King led the first civil rights movement, and we are in the midst of a second civil rights movement," says Mehek G. ('21) who is a leader within Impact Club. "Looking back, Doctor King said that we have to use time creatively with the knowledge that the time is ripe to do right. Even in this pandemic I look to May and the George Floyd protests and know that Americans are still standing for justice and equality."

The nation's leading organization fighting for the the rights of all Americans is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The non-partisan group strives to uphold the constitution primarily through lawsuits and activism. Washington state's ACLU affiliate has been at the forefront of many battles not only in the courtroom but also the legislature and communities themselves.

The Executive Director in Washington is Michele Storms, and she was Overlake's featured speaker at this year's MLK Assembly. Her presentation not only relied on civil rights through history books, but also history through our families. Her interactive polls allowed the audience to see how their unique personal history can define how they respond to the call of fairness, equality, justice, and freedom for all. "Many of us are eager for change and that vigorous and positive action," says Storms. "The times we're in are really challenging. We are dealing with Coronavirus, intense political division, police violence against Black people, and our Earth actually being on fire in this moment. There's so much at stake."

ACLU of Washington Executive Director Michele Storms speaks to Overlakers via Zoom 

She also spoke on the importance of the insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol adding that it speaks volumes to the amount of work that we all have to do to truly be free. In a democracy, she believes that dissent without fear is patriotic, and the role of the ACLU is to uphold democracy. "I appreciate how many of you are willing to take action and understand, empathize, and want to share with you the feelings of anger and anxiety."

Lastly, Storms explained Dr. King's idea for a Beloved Community which she bases on the idea that we can be in disagreement yet still care about each other. She believes that all of us can do it  individually and collectively through schools, homes, and systems. "It's the idea that we won't tolerate hunger, poverty, war, the brutalizing of each other. It's a shared commitment of having peoples' needs met and living in harmony even if we have different viewpoints," says Storms. "Positive change starts with an individual doing their own personal work."

Overlake students will continue their work throughout the academic year in monthly workshops which will include guests with insight into making real change. Whether it's in Black Lives Matter protests, political activism, one Impact Club member put the message out clearly to her fellow students in a speech made by Dr. King. "Let us stand up. Let us be a concerned generation," Ruta R. ('21) told the audience. "Let us remain awake through the great revolution. We in the analysis can gain consolation in the fact that at least we made strides in our struggle for peace and justice. We still have a long way to go, but we've made a creative beginning."

The program finished with students reading the powerful final words of Representative John Lewis in an essay he wrote before his death last July.  

Click here to watch this year's program.