As part of this year's Black History Month celebration, the Fields Center hosted its annual dinner on Friday.
The evening featured a keynote speech by Kadiatou Diallo, the mother of Amadou Diallo, who was shot to death by four New York City policemen in 1999.
A crowd of 40 attended the semi-formal, buffet-style dinner in Liberation Hall.
The guests were greeted by Victor Davis '05 and Ayana Harry '05, co-chairs of the organizing committee.
The Rev. Deborah Blanks, associate dean of religious life, read a convocation prayer and invited everyone to celebrate "the history and legacy of the sons of the Diaspora."
The University's theme this year was "Celebrating the Diaspora Through the Arts."
At the beginning of the program, the audience stood for Kamille Davis '05's rendition of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," also known as the "Black National Anthem." Davis is a member of the Princeton University Gospel Ensemble.
After Theri Pickens '05 read a poem she had written entitled "Steppin' (and fetchin')," the committee co-chairs introduced the keynote speaker Kadiatou Diallo.
Diallo's son, Amadou, was killed on February 4,1999, by four New York City policemen. When the officers knocked on his door to question him for a rape investigation, Amadou reached into his jacket for his wallet. The officers thought he was reaching for a gun and shot him 19 times.
Diallo said Amadou was more than the "West-African street vendor" portrayed by the media.
Born in Liberia, Amadou grew up in Guinea, Togo and Thailand and spoke five languages. He came to the United States for education.
"He became a street vendor because his own father began his fortune by selling on the street," his mother said.
After the tragedy, Diallo moved to the United States with her three other children. She recalled the demonstrations in New York City and how she had felt "blessed by having this attention from the community at large."
She said her struggle was an attempt "to humanize the tragedy, to give Amadou back his own identity."
She said she could start the healing process only by "re-humanizing" her son.
At the four policemen's criminal trial, Amadou's character was never discussed. "I do not want him to become a case," she said.
She also said that her son had been the victim of "a racist attack." "The system doesn't favor black people in [a] poor neighborhood, and I say that for a fact," she said.
Because she didn't want her son's death to have occured vain, Diallo said she established the Amadou Diallo Foundation "to promote racial healing through activities and to fund programs seeking to enhance police-community relations."
Diallo finished her speech with a reading from "My Heart Will Cross this Ocean," a book she wrote with the help of Craig Wolff.
She received a standing ovation and a small gift from the organizing committee.
Pickens read another original poem, "True Inspiration," at the end of the dinner.
Read More
Seven members of the Class of 2025 selected for Spirit of Princeton award
Hayk YengibaryanThe award has been presented annually since 1995 and is determined by a selection committee based on nominations from members of the Princeton community.
The award has been presented annually since 1995 and is determined by a selection committee based on nominations from members of the Princeton community.
As endowment tax looms, Princeton asks departments to make plans for ‘permanent’ budget cuts, warns of potential layoffs
Christopher Bao and Annie RupertusPrinceton asked all departments and University units to prepare “separate plans for 5 percent and 10 percent permanent budget cuts to be phased in over the next three years in a memo sent Monday. Administrators warned of layoffs as the University prepares for a potential federal endowment tax, set to be debated in Congress later this week.
Princeton asked all departments and University units to prepare “separate plans for 5 percent and 10 percent permanent budget cuts to be phased in over the next three years in a memo sent Monday. Administrators warned of layoffs as the University prepares for a potential federal endowment tax, set to be debated in Congress later this week.
Newark airport disruptions snarl student travel plans
Cynthia TorresNewark has been facing disruptions for around two weeks amid a national air traffic controller shortage, leading to delays of up to five hours for some flights. As a result, some students flying home for the summer have changed their flights.
Newark has been facing disruptions for around two weeks amid a national air traffic controller shortage, leading to delays of up to five hours for some flights. Some students flying home for the summer and may be effected by delays and some students changed their flights.