Amir Taylor ’22 emceed the April 28 Unity Day event at Nigro Plaza that featured contributions from students to observe Juneteenth and demonstrate Siena’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of racial justice.
Elham Malik ’22 spoke about the spiritual significance of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan; Siena’s chorus performed “A Million Dreams”; Bilal Hersi ’24 read Maya Angelou’s famous poem “Still I Rise”; Jackson Stormo ’22 shared the history of Juneteenth; Nick Hopkins MBA ‘22 read General Order No. 3, which transmitted news of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved peoples in Texas; and Cristian Spariosu ’23 spoke about the injustice of the war in Ukraine. Blessings and prayers were offered by Siena’s friars.
The Siena community will celebrate Juneteenth again closer to the actual June 19 holiday; Unity Day is held toward the end of the spring semester so the College can observe Juneteenth as a full community.
“American history is complex, but it is our history, and we have to own it.”
Amir Taylor '22