Dear Beloved Community,

As we begin another semester, my hope is that we do so in solidarity: holding both a vision for what could be and clarity of what is. Each year, the U.S. pauses to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Too often, we do this with ceremonial reverence instead of critical inquiry; this practice allows for a collective amnesia around how disruptive, challenging, and deeply unpopular he was in his own time.

Today, I offer some of King’s lesser-known words without added commentary. I invite you to sit with them, wrestle with them, and let them challenge easy narratives. Read them not as historical artifacts, but as living questions - asking what they demand from us in this moment.

“True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It understands that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.” 
— Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, 1967

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.” 
— Where Do We Go From Here?, 1967

“I must confess that that dream that I had that day has in many points turned into a nightmare… I’ve come to see that we have many more difficulties ahead and some of the old optimism was a little superficial and now it must be tempered with a solid realism. And I think the realistic fact is that we still have a long, long way to go.” 

— Interview with NBC, May 8, 1967

May these words stay with you longer than a holiday weekend. May they unsettle comfort, sharpen conscience, and invite courage. And may we honor Dr. King not only with remembrance, but with the daily, imperfect practice of building the just world he dared to imagine.

In solidarity, 
Rosalie 

A photo of Eva Casas.

Eva Casas (she/her) is a first-year student at CC, planning to study history and political science. She holds a deep value for equity and belonging and intends to bring this into future work in international relations. Outside of academics, Eva enjoys figure skating and reading.

Tasmin Zafar Ahmad (she/her) is a first-year student from Malaysia, planning to major in psychology with a minor in Asian Studies. She loves reading, watching movies and shows, listening to music, and anything horror or true crime. 

A photo of Tasmin Zafar Ahmad.

IEB is proud to have had an opportunity to collaborate with our long time community partner, the MLK Legacy Preservation Society to host Yolanda Renee King for a fireside chat with area students as young as 4th grade, along with our own scholar, Ashley Paul. A major debt of gratitude goes to our events team, campus safety and communications for their

Photo by Jamie Cotton/Colorado College.

help in making this event a success. On Sunday, Jan. 18, Yolanda Renee King, the 17‑year‑old granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr., visited Colorado College to speak with students about carrying forward her grandfather’s legacy of peace, interconnectedness, and nonviolent social justice. During the event, she emphasized the importance of civic engagement, respectful dialogue, and continued advocacy, reminding the audience that the civil rights movement is recent history and its work remains unfinished. King shared personal experiences, encouraged young people to use their voices thoughtfully, and highlighted the need to stay open‑minded and united. Read the full story.

From Minnesota to Venezuela, Iran to Greenland, and everywhere in-between, reports of violence and violent rhetoric have been increasing national and international tensions. News outlets are reporting increased protests across the country and across the globe  in response to immigration enforcement practices and  violations of international diplomacy.

For some, these are distant headlines; for others, they shape how our students, staff, and faculty move through the world and into our classrooms. As a campus community, our responsibility is to meet these moments with honesty, care, and critical inquiry, creating space to name harm, ask hard questions, and imagine responses rooted in justice and belonging.  

If you would like help navigating these complexities, please reach out, and we will connect you to our resources across campus and beyond.

This block, AVP Christopher Sewell will be planning workshops on how to use the revised equity audit tool and accompanying ADEI Planning and Evaluation Rubric. If you would like to schedule a time to learn more about how to use the tool in your work, please contact Christopher at csewell@coloradocollege.edu.

International People & Practices Sub-Committee 

On Wednesday, Jan. 14th, the U.S. government announced it will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. While the proclamation, includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents and existing visa holders, this policy shift, along with previous bans, will impact many who are in the visa process and will likely add to mounting concerns that influence international student enrollment. Read more about these impacts.

We encourage those who may be impacted to reach out to an immigration attorney for legal advice and/or to access one of the many support systems offered, such as the Counseling Center and Timely Care for students, or the Employee Assistance Program for employees.

The cover of Noor by Nnedi Okorafor.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor is now available for pickup at the CC Bookstore with your CC ID. Enroll in our MS Team if you have not already. There, under the Shared tab, you will find supporting documents including a discussion guide, articles, and information about how to join the Nnedi Okorafor’s Virtual Book Club.  You will also find updates regarding related book club programming.

Study Away Semesters in the USA: Info Session

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, 4 p.m. 

Tutt Library Event Space - 2nd Floor 

The Center for Global Education and Field Study has launched new Study  Away programs in Washington, D.C.,

Alaska, Maine, New York, Puerto Rico, and along the Mississippi River. Meet program reps at the Study Away Fair on Jan. 29, 12–2 pm in Worner, and stay for the 4 p.m. panel to learn what makes each program unique and how to apply. 

IEB offers up to $250 in co-sponsorship funding for campus events that promoting equity and justice. Departments, offices, student groups, and athletic teams may apply by submitting the request form with required materials. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions issued within two weeks. Funded events must acknowledge IEB’s support in all communications and include the IEB logo on promotional materials. For questions, contact the Office of IEB directly or refer to this form.

The IEB leadership team offers a grant program to support antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) learning opportunities beyond our department’s budget capacity, helping offset costs for those who wish to participate in, attend, or create ADEI programming. To apply, complete this form describing your funding needs by March 1, 2026, for Spring 2026 activities; requests take at least two weeks to review, so submit at least one month in advance. Applications are evaluated for alignment with IEB’s focus on designing infrastructure, cultivating community, and building capacity, through an antiracist lens that promotes mental wellness and sustainability. 

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