The Center, since its creation has made diversity one of its top priorities. This is shown by the initiative section of its website which reads "The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center cordially invites you to participate in a book club on diversity-THESE FORUMS ARE OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE. Twice each semester, the UK family and the general community will be encouraged to read a book which deals with some aspect of diversity."(uky.edu/mlkcc). The Martin Luther King Cultural Center features events both weekly, and annually, that celebrate the many cultures of the world. Salsa dancing, rockers music, international conversation hour, poetry reading, amongst others. (uky.edu/mlkcc). I have sat-in on a salsa dancing lesson before, but was too shy to join in. I remember seeing people of every color and nationality, most accompanied by a good friend, who would be their partner. This a scene which makes the King Center unique. I watched people matched almost not at all with the same race, with full smiles on their faces, and enthusiasm for learning in their feet. The teacher of the salsa class is a young black female of muslim religion. She has been teaching the class every week for the past two years. It is truly a fun, and touching sight to see.

Interview.. and Thoughts

I was sitting in the King Center myself just the other day when the opportunity to conduct an interview presented itself. In the King Center are what as known as emissaries, young adults who serve as ambassadors to both ideals and activities. A particular emissarie who was a friend of mine had plenty of time for a conversation. It was memorable to me that she presented an entirely different mission statement that the one that I read in the front of the center. Here interpretation of it conflicted with a few ideas I had coming in to this observation.
"it used to be completely international.. but we changed that.. it's FOR blacks and latinos." she said. A nearby listener to the conversation said, "WE the only one's that come.."
When I heard this I knew that I had gotten probably to the core of the very controversy, or differences in perspective when it comes to the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center. Every part of what I listened to in just those few moments can be analyzed. The mission statement, as mentioned before, includes an international focus in one place, yet one of the most experienced workers of the establishment had a different point of view. Then I ask the question, "Who is we.. and why change THAT?" Never have I heard Martin Luther King Jr. say only blacks and latinos are equal to whites. How can we have a cultural center that only touches three continents of the seven?
Since I say we, why did the onlooking freshman black male say we the way he did? Even as a black male, I don't think there should be any place on campus that should be segregated in such a way. The thing is, to be honest, when a caucasian person walks into the center, I can say from personal experience that everyone puts a look on their face like "what do they want", and I even remember someone saying it before. That's why there are so many perceptions, it's because of the culture of this cultural center. Everyone who comes in has been there before, and there is a dead silence when someone that noone knows walks in. I have always wondered how one of those people might feel, but the chance for that interview has not yet presented itself. I can imagine that they wonder "what makes this place so great, that you can not speak to me like you do everyone around me.. as if I don't exist..?" As an insider to this place, the center is like an on-campus living room to me. When a person walks in that I know, I will acknowledge them, as it is only polite. If I don't know the person that may come stumbling into the center, then I'm right back to my computer, homework, food, or tv.

Introduction: Why the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center?

I chose to explore a place that has many different perceptions on UK's campus. These perceptions may be influenced by knowledge, or lack there of, race, and a fear of the unknown. When one walks past the well-lite room surrounded by black glass adjacent to the UK bookstore, a "?" mark might as well be on the inside. Unless you have actually been to this center, you will probably have no idea what goes on there. Personally, I attend The Center to study, surf the internet, print papers free of charge, and to socialize with friends. I find it very interesting that a place funded and sponsored by the University has created an aura, purposefully or not, that makes some feel that they don't belong.
I will seek testimony from those who attend the center, who do not attend the center, and those who do not know what the center's real purpose is. I have also conducted an interview with interim Director of the center, Chester Grundy, who was also instrumental in it's foundation. The goal of my research is to discover what the Martin Luther King Cultural Center is all about, and to determine its significance to the University of Kentucky community. It is my personal belief that getting to know people from different walks of life can help people grow as individuals and also prepare them for the corporate world, which is more international than ever.
More information about the Center can be found in the center itself, it's website (see link), and it's brochure. The Cultural Center is a place that has become segregated, but I think that all that it has to offer should be brought to the forefront. It's mission is summed up in the statement....
"The mission of the MLKCC is to help connect people by providing a space for interaction, fostering an understanding and appreciation of the values and cultural heritage of African American and Latino people of American, while showing how diversity intersects, overlaps, and compliments the cultures of African, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Carribean, European, and the indigenous peoples."

Observations

Right now, I sit in the Martin Luther King Cultural Center in the Student Center. It feels like a living room, or study hall. Myself, and five young black females are studying for upcoming assignments and studying for upcoming tests. On this monday morning, the occasional conversation sparks as to what the other is studying, what is events are on the horizon, and what has happened this past weekend. A 32" television plays cartoon network, with no one engaged to its content at all. When I asked one of the young ladies why she chose to study here in the morning as opposed to anyone else she said "It's not the quietest place, but it's comfortable." Another young woman said "because it's pretty much where we all come, so when i want to take a break, I'm already here." There is construction work going on outside, and with every opening of the door, there is a "hey, hello, how are you".. mostly hugs.. In this cultural center, meant to be one of diversity and the understanding of all culture, Everyone is Black.