Pre-Law Club hosts Black Lives Matter vigil
Students stand socially-distanced on the Hammerschmidt Chapel steps. Photo Courtesy of Elmhurst University
On Sept. 10, the Elmhurst University Pre-Law Club hosted a Black Lives Matter vigil for the campus community on the steps of the Hammerschmidt Chapel. Student representatives solemnly recited the names of 99 lives lost, but not forgotten, to police brutality and other violent acts of prejudice in the recent history of the United States.
Pre-Law Club President Rabia Amin commenced the vigil by expressing her dismay about last fall’s bias incidence.
“Not even a year ago, our own campus was shut down for two days due to hateful and racist threats that were targeted at our Black, Jewish, and LGBTQI+ community,” Amin said. “So, let’s take this as an opportunity to self-reflect and see how we can progress together as a community.”
President of the Spiritual Life Council Lorraine Schuler, emphasized the need for having open discussions about race relations in the United States.
“We need to ask questions about those who are in a position of authority, questions about roles that we as individuals and a society have, and questions about our future,” she said.
“We stand with you in your fight for justice for [Breonna] Taylor, George Floyd, Jacob Blake, and so many others. We stand with you as we mourn the losses that we as a community and nation are feeling,” Schuler continued, talking about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Schuler was followed by Raven Rhone, President of the Black Student Union, who briefly spoke about her struggles as the daughter of a Black police officer who deals with racial intolerance while on the force.
“To move forward in our campus community, we must address the root cause of these issues and work towards a more just future,” Rhone said. “In the words of Malcolm X, ‘I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.’”
Michael Vaia, Student Government Association President echoed his peers’ sentiments and denounced aggressive methods of law enforcement. “A police officer does not have the right to act as judge, jury and executioner… We will not forget the names of those who we have lost to police violence and discrimination,” he said.
The speeches were accompanied by a moment of silence in remembrance of the lives taken.
Chaplain Scott Matheney then administered a prayer and emphasized the importance of bringing the campus community together for a shared purpose. “We are called to change, to vote, to work.”
Dr. L. Bernard Jakes, an alumnus, and current EU trustee offered closing remarks in which he related Reinhold Niebuhr’s legacy to present-day Black Lives Matter efforts by stressing the need for widespread social reform.
“Change occurs when like-minded individuals like yourselves refuse to accept things as they are, and they seek to find revolutionary ways to change the status quo.” Dr. Jakes professed. “I stand today encouraging you, as well as challenging you to get involved with the struggle for fairness, equality, and equity.”
The vigil, which was co-sponsored by over 10 student organizations, the President’s Office, the Chaplain’s Office, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, had a 50-person limit on attendees in accordance with Illinois COVID-19 restrictions. For those who could not make it to the in-person gathering, the event was simultaneously live-streamed on the Elmhurst University Youtube channel.
