In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Penn State Behrend had Monti Washington, a speaker, poet and activist from Los Angeles, CA, come to campus to present his speech “What Lives Matter?”

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Washington began by emerging from the back of the room and walking through the tables all the while reciting a slam poem. This got the audience members engaged, as many were actively clapping and snapping.

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Washington then began discussing what it means to matter. As he described, this does not necessarily imply equality. It just means, in the context of people mattering, that they are significant and important. Instead of seeing people as a stereotype or label, a box they are put in, they should be seen as their stories and as a person.

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Washington began talking about his story. He was conceived from a one-night stand and ended up in group homes and the foster care system. Throughout his life he struggled with depression and suicide. His life was filled with challenges and sadness, but he has since become a very optimistic and hopeful person. After describing what he went through as a child and young adult, Washington made the point that people do not necessarily look like their stories and explained people are greater than their stories.

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Multiple times throughout his speech, Washington explained that he is all about love and tries his best to stay away from hate. He has worked towards living a life full of love and compassion, and tries to stay away from negativity and becoming jaded about the world.

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In his speech, Washington also briefly discusses politics, including issues dealing with race and general stereotypes. He explained how people use stereotypes and labels to dismiss, deny and divide. He used the example of the #MeToo Movement. To display this, he asked the women in the room to raise their hand if they had ever been called crazy. Most, if not all of the women raised their hands. Washington then explained how calling women “crazy” is a common tactic that men use to dismiss women’s valid emotions, especially if it has something to do with the man doing something wrong. Classifying people into groups based on their race, religion, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic status leads to dehumanized assumptions.

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Next, Washington asked the audience to take a note card and pencil that were in the center of the table. He then asked everyone to write down negative words and stereotypes associated with their race, religion, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic status. After everyone finished, a few read theirs aloud. Once everyone acknowledged the negativity that had been expressed, Washington asked everyone to write on the other side of the card positive words that are associated with their race, religion, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic status.

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Next some students were picked to go on stage and list reasons why they were “the sh*t” while holding a roll of toilet paper. After the person with the microphone gave a reason, like, “I am kind,” everyone in the room went “Ayyyy!” Washington explained how important it is to acknowledge strengths.

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The last activity for the room involved either standing up or raising a hand if the statement applied. Some of these included, “I have been judged based on my race” and “I have feared for my life because of the opposite sex.” These showed the audience that everyone has struggles, and although people face different problems, it is important to be supportive and understanding. After this, Washington asked that everyone go around the room and hug the other audience members. This brought the room together.

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After everyone finished hugging, Washington concluded his presentation by answering questions from the audience. Before everyone left, the audience took three group photos together: one looking cute, one looking like a “thug,” and a silly one.