Talking to the People.....

Hey All,

It's me again here to report my findings to answer my own question about the state of affairs at the MLKCC- is it the rich cultural resource it was intended to be or just another spot on campus grounds? Also, how is this place helping or hindering the relationships between students of all different backrounds?

For the past week I have been interviewing students on campus to find out what they know about the MLKCC. I thought this topic would honestly go in one direction and clearly it is growing a mind of its own. I initially found it fascinating that there wasn't a more cohesive bond, silent or spoken, between the Black student population, or maybe it is just me. I wondered what the correlation was between this meeting place and the relationships we build or don’t with each other. Is that really representative of King’s dream? I thought when I walked the hallways and pathways I would almost be tired from acknowledging my brothers and sisters. I mean it has only been since 1948 that we have even been on this campus, it does seem like the spirits of those that paved the way would still be alive and breathing within its present day representatives.

The contrast is I get 'more love' on the street. So this is where my angst was born. There is something going on that is very different with this generation and unfortunately the MLKCC is where I discovered this great divide. My research will briefly introduce you to four undergrads at UK, who are sophomores or have been here on campus more than two semesters. In addition to the four interviews, there are also mini surveys conducted randomly as I found myself on various parts of the campus, there are forty surveys total. My first interview was conducted in the Fine Arts Library and began rather casually at the copier/printer. Rather quickly my trusty handheld was at my side and a more formal conversation ensued.

Meet J.B., a 20 year old sophomore of Afro-Caribbean descent who was eager to discuss his experience with the MLKCC. "I first heard of the Center from a friend of mine as we were walking to the bookstore, she needed to drop in and asked if I would 'come with'. So I was just hanging out, checking out a couple of fliers and stuff, no big deal, besides a few frat cats there was no one else there and they were involved in their own thing, and really now that I think of it, no one said a word to me. No nods up, no nothing. It was all good with me, I'm not a frat guy, I’m not down with that game and they could probably tell I wasn't impressed by the colors or logos. When my friend was ready, she waved in their direction and I could hear a few responses, but to be honest it was kinda dead, no real love, you know what I mean? I thought it was kinda lame but I really didn’t think about it after it happened, not ‘til you brought it up. I haven’t been back and I really don’t plan to go unless someone invites me.”

Meet W.B., a 22 year old Caucasian female from Cincinnati, she is a Biology Major and a junior. W.B. is familiar with the Center because in the past, she dated a ‘Q’ and that was his ‘spot’. According to Ms. B, “The only time I went there was with E. and when we broke up, there was no real reason to return. It’s not like anyone really befriended me while I was there, I just didn’t feel like it was a place for me to just go. I really felt like ‘the white girl’ and that wasn’t cool, there are far too many places on campus for me to go where I won’t feel isolated.”

I don’t know family; it’s not looking too good so far.

O.k., let’s go to F.T., a 21 year old band member, Caucasian, that came to UK by way of Mobile.
“I heard of it, I‘ve been meaning to go there, I peek in every now and then when I go by, but I haven’t been in yet. What do they do there?” Well, this is where it gets good for me. I explain that there are some things going on that he just might be interested in like discussions and guest speakers and artists that are sponsored by various groups that set up shop there. His next question was “Well, when are they going to set up outside so more people can know what’s going on with them, maybe other people would be interested too. I don’t really see them, so it’s hard to know what they are about. They really need more publicity.” I suggested F. visit the website to find out more and I challenged him to an experiment. I wanted to know if he and a friend would go and visit and just hang out for 20 minutes or so. Unfortunately, he has not taken me up on the offer.

P.O-L.,, a married 25 year old non-traditional Bi-racial student from Indianapolis transferred to UK second semester of her freshman year. P. has been on campus for four semesters and recounts her first encounters there. “Actually, I met my husband in the Center during a S.G. meeting. Things seemed a lot more active then as far as bringing people together. We had lot of activities; there was always something there to do.” She is also quick to acknowledge that there is a definite connection between people from the nearby town of Louisville. “A lot of people know each other from high school and tend to stick together, and if you don’t know, there has always been a kind of rivalry between Lexington and Louisville. I never really understood it, my husband would try and explain it to me and it doesn’t make sense to me at all. I think we should all be cool with each other no matter what, it’s only a few of us here anyway.” P. goes onto explain that recently neither she nor her husband have spent much time there because of their busy schedules.

To further my research, I surveyed 40 random students according to my location on campus at any given time. Out of 35 students, here is a rough break down.

Out of 40 people, 20 had heard of it but only 10 had actually visited, furthermore only 18 were interested in the activities and services the Center provided. Unfortunately, many of the Caucasian students had not even heard of the Center and only 1 had actually stepped foot inside.


I am shocked that so many students are not aware of the Martin Luther King Cultural Center and even more shocked that many of them are not even interested in what services or events it has to offer. Do you know how many people pass this place on the way to the bookstore or the food court? It's central location should add to its accessibility, so why does it still seem so isolated? What can we do to change this? How do we unite with the Student Body, how do we unite with each other? I know in my heart this center was built as a living breathing symbol of a dream, but what are we actively doing to perpetuate the King Legacy? We all have a responsibility to do more. This place is more than a hangout for the fraternities and sororities, it was built to be a beacon of light to those still in the darkness of ignorance. The MLKCC was built to teach and unite. What are we really doing to challenge ourselves to connect with those like and unlike us?

More coming soon...peace.