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Keith Boykin, a New York Times best-selling author, founder of the National Black Coalition and gay rights activist, visited MU on Tuesday, Feb. 17 to address the campus community during two packed sessions.
Members from the MU and local community listened to Boykin speak about Proposition 8 and civil rights issues at 2:00 p.m. in the Catherine Evans McGowna room, and at 8:00 p.m. in the Lemmond Theater, Boykin spoke about “Race Politics in the Age of Obama.”
Martino, Misericordia and the Media
Boykin’s visit garnered plenty of media coverage after Bishop Joseph Martino from the Diocese of Scranton issues a release to the press about his disapproval of Boykin’s visit. Martino wrote, “By honoring this speaker through allowing his positions, so antithetical to Catholic Church teaching, to be broadcast on its campus, the university has rejected all four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning.”
Misericordia University issued a release following this statement explaining the need to host an open discussion. The release read, "Misericordia University is committed deeply to its Catholic mission. Inseparable from that mission is our identity as an academic institution where ideas and positions are explored critically and freely."
During the sessions, Boykin explained his educational background and history in law and politics. The main point he emphasized was that students need to keep trying and never give up. He illustrated the importance of this motto when he presented his track record in politics.
During the early session, Boykin emphasized the need to recognize the common humanity between all of us and address civil rights issues. He did talk about what it was like when he realized he was gay. His grandmother did not accept him at first, but eventually came around – all on her own – by bringing church members with her to one of his book signings. He used this example to show that all people can work together, even if they don’t agree on everything.
Politics in Practice
At the evening session, Boykin better explained his political career. In 1982 Boykin, young and fresh out of college, joined ranks with George Sheldon and lost. Two years later he campaigned for Walter Mondale and failed again. In 1986 Boykin joined Julian Bond and again was unsuccessful. Mike Dukakis was the next campaign that Boykin worked for in 198 and lost again. In 1989 he participated in the campaign of a License Collector Candidate, one he thought was a shoe-in, and he lost again.
In 1992, Boykin was all set to put his political career behind him and to move out to California to a job at a law firm. At the last minute, he gave that up to participate with the campaign of a man from Arkansas. This experience was a highlight in Boykin’s career; he was a part of Bill Clinton’s presidency.
From that point on Boykin’s career was on the rise. “That shows the importance of tenacity,” Boykin said when recalling the story.
Boykin’s speech continued its inspirational tract, making mention of some of his heroes: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Margaret Mead.
Margaret Mead was especially important to Boykin because of her quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
The Power of Few in Harvard
This quote was something that Boykin took seriously, especially in his college years, he said. Boykin was a student at Harvard University during a time when people struggled for work equality. He and other students formed together to fight for equality among the cultures with the goal of accepting diversity among faculty and staff.
Members of groups across ethnicities joined Boykin in protesting in the dean’s office, the president’s office and all over the community. Eventually the group of law students and others took Harvard to court in an effort to change its policies. Native Americans, African Americans, people with disabilities, homosexuals and other groups combined forces to make a difference.
“We may not have won in the court of law,” Boykin says, “but we won in the court of public opinion.”
Change did not happen immediately but eventually the efforts of Boykin and his peers convinced Harvard to conduct a more fair and equal hiring and admission process.
“We have power if we’re simply willing to use that power,” said Boykin.
A Call to Action for All Minorities
Boykin wanted students and other audience members to acknowledge that large institutions use their power to bully people into silence. He urged students to not let that happen.
While fighting for rights at Harvard University, there was a special member of Boykin’s group, a man who would later rise to the highest position of power in the nation, Barack Obama. It was Obama’s presence, as the editor of the Harvard Law Review, that helped shame Harvard into changing their ways, said Boykin.
After working on the Clinton campaign Boykin was offered a position in the White House to work on minority issues. Although this was not Boykin’s specific point of interest, he attributes many life lessons to this time in his life.
“One thing I realized is that minorities have a lot more in common than we thought,” said Boykin.
During the early session, sophomore Brad Rosen asked Boykin if he felt we had progressed or moved backward since Clinton’s presidency. Boykin’s response about human relations was positive. “I think it’s gotten better,” he said. “The presidency (of Barack Obama) does not make sudden radical change, but it is a milestone.”
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