Melanie Graham
Dr. Bernard LaFayette, who worked with Martin Luther King Jr., spoke at Watertown Middle School about making the town welcoming and safe to all people. He also led an anti-bias training with the Watertown Police.
Pride and optimism filled the auditorium at Watertown Middle School Thursday as Dr. Bernard LaFayette praised the work the town has done to build what he called “a global community.”
“When I tell you that you have a uniqueness here, you better believe it,” said LaFayette, who was greeted by student-made posters and a performance by Watertown High School’s a Capella group, The Watertones. “You are very special people.”
As a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and someone who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., LaFayette has traveled the world teaching the philosophies of nonviolent conflict resolution. He’s was a member of the Nashville Student Movement and worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the American Friends Service Committee.
For the crowd at Watertown Middle School Thursday night, LaFayette recounted many memories working with King and other Civil Rights groups in the ’60s, from his experience with the Freedom Rides to his work as a leader for the Selma Voting Rights Movement. He also discussed his work developing a curriculum based on King’s nonviolent philosophies, and taking those teachings to prison groups and violence-filled countries like Columbia.
But LaFayette’s trip to Watertown was not to just to share stories and praise the community; much of his two days in the town were spent with local officials, community members and students, discussing ways to make Watertown a safe and welcoming place for people of all cultures and backgrounds. On Friday, LaFayette also conducted anti-bias training with members of the Watertown Police Department.
With recent police conflicts around the country and violent attacks elsewhere in the world, addressing cultural differences and nonviolent conflict resolution now puts Watertown “in the right place at the right time.”
“This community is just going to get better and better,” LaFayette said.
LaFayette emphasized the importance of speaking with teachers and community leaders, as their influence on younger generations can have an affect on future political and social conflicts.
Melanie Graham
Watertown Middle School Students made a sign to welcome Dr. Bernard LaFayette.
This education – creating a global community and addressing conflict without violence – is about institutionalizing King’s philosophies, LaFayette said. Along with internationalizing his message, institutionalizing ideas of nonviolence was one mission King had hoped to complete, and a goal he spoke about with LaFayette before his assassination in 1968.
“The power of the bullet cannot be more powerful than the power of love and nonviolence,” LaFayette said. “And that’s why we’re here tonight.”
LaFayette’s visit to Watertown was organized by World in Watertown, the Watertown School Department and the Watertown Police Department. Financial sponsors for the program included World in Watertown, Watertown Savings Bank, Watertown Public Schools, Watertown Community Foundation, Watertown Police Dept., Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment, First Parish of Watertown, Partnership With America and Amnesty International (Belmont/Watertown Chapter).