Lee's African American students share testimonies for MLK week
Students gather to listen to the testimonies of Cooley, Bell, James, and Virgo.
Photo by Danielle Smith
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Lee University’s Faculty Cultural Diversity Committee hosted “Telling to Live: Testimonies of African American Students” on Thursday, Jan. 19.
The event was focused on the stories and experiences of four African American Lee students: Tamela Cooley, Judith Bell, Sonod James and David Virgo.
The goal of the event was to create a new mindset for faculty and students, encouraging them to be people who are loving enough to ask hard questions.
Cooley began by sharing her story. Growing up, she said she never felt beautiful and saw different women of race depicted in unattractive ways.
She questioned God about her race and never truly felt secure. She said she soon realized her worth and is now able to unapologetically walk in her own beauty.
“We’re all worth something and we all have meaning,” Cooley said.
The next to share her story was Bell. In high school, Bell said a boy told her that they could never be more than friends because of her skin color and that later in high school, a different boy’s parent would not let him attend prom with her.
She told those gathered that she was bitter for a long time, but now chooses not to be.
“I will be enough for the guy who’s really meant for me,” Bell said.
James was the next to share his story of accepting who he is and having confidence in himself.
“Be yourself and people will embrace you,” James said.
Virgo was the last to speak. Virgo talked about his grandfather, who always told him to dress properly, be true to himself and to carry himself with dignity.
Virgo said he always felt accepted by the white community, but struggled with being told that he was not “black enough.”
“The thing that has gotten me through is staying true to myself and knowing that my worth is in Christ,” Virgo said.
During the last part of the event, the students and faculty in attendance got to ask the four students questions.
Questions ranged from their thoughts on the “Make America White Again” campaign to where the students find the safest place on campus to talk about these issues.
