Certain conversations can be difficult, but some of them need to be had. That’s one of the key messages that scholar, writer and performer, Dr. Sonny Kelly, had for dozens of Methodist University students, faculty and staff on Thursday and Friday in Huff Concert Hall.
Certain conversations can be difficult, but some of them need to be had.
That’s one of the key messages that scholar, writer and performer, Dr. Sonny Kelly, had for dozens of Methodist University students, faculty and staff on Thursday and Friday in Huff Concert Hall.
The University’s Union-Zukowksi Endowment for Multicultural Understanding – which provides funding for guest lecturers and programs for international issues – hosted Kelly for a two-day event called “The Talk.”
“The Talk” primarily focused on helping attendees understand the difficult topics adults must address with children in the midst of division in America. Kelly’s one-man performance included several personal stories of the conversations he and his son would have in the wake of Freddie Gray’s death in 2015.
“This is not a political story, a Black story, an American story, or any other adjective you can put on it. It’s just my story,” Kelly said. “I’m just hoping that when I share it, it can become our story. I hope students walk away from this realizing that they’re not that different than the people that don’t live like, look like and love like them. Everyone is worth your time so go out and do something about it.”
Although Kelly shined a light on a serious issue, he was able to weave together interactive theater and a multimedia production – highlighting the words of several historical figures including James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois and others.
The two-day event included a workshop, allowing students, faculty and staff to collaborate on ways they could improve dialogue in the MU community.
“As an upcoming health care practitioner, it’s one of my jobs to education myself and advocate,” said Logan Jenness, a student in MU’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
“This helped me learn about different perspectives and different experiences so I can be a better person to my clients, peers and community,”
To learn more about Kelly and “The Talk”, visit here.