The Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative hosted a memorial walk Sunday afternoon in honor of those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks. More than 100 students walked in silence from the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center to Francis Quadrangle, where they then held a memorial service and prayer.
“We felt that it was necessary to remember those people who lost their lives on 9/11 in an appropriate fashion,” MBMI Activities Chairman Jonathan Butler said. “It was necessary not only because it is the 10 year anniversary, but because it was a very important event to happen to our nation.”
The group set off from the center at 3:30 p.m. and walked in silence down Rollins Street, turning onto Missouri Avenue and passing Jesse Hall to reach the Columns on the quad. At the quad, MBMI President Darnell Cage asked the crowd to bow their heads in a moment of silence and led a prayer honoring victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“This walk for me was very powerful,” Cage said. “I never really expected to get too much out of it, but carrying that flag, realizing how much I love my country, and realizing how much these people who were here love their country as well was a powerful experience for me.”
MBMI Coordinator Marcus Mayes said he felt the event was a definite success.
“It was really nice to see everybody come together for this moment of time to reflect, remember and give thanks to be able to be here today and be free in this nation,” Mayes said. “What really had an impact on me was seeing the effect our walk had on not only those who participated, but those who witnessed it. Many didn’t know what was going on, but once they realized what we were doing, they stopped and watched in silence.”
Students participating in the Memorial Walk included members of Missouri Students Association, Hispanic American Leadership Organization and other student groups. Butler said the group’s diversity had a huge impact on him.
“We had members of several other organizations along with a very diverse mix of ethnicities,” he said. “As a campus, we’re trying to build this image and standard of One Mizzou, and this was a nice step toward that. It shows how diverse we can get and how we can stand united on matters that affect us locally and nationally.”
Cage said he agrees, but said it shouldn’t take a time of mourning and sadness to bring people together.
“We should be joyous and be able to unite as one on a daily basis,” he said. “That is what Mizzou is striving for and I believe that this walk will help us achieve that.”
He also said he hopes the walk had greater effects.
“I hope we helped start a ripple effect into our community, the country and eventually the world,” he said. “These are our future leaders, and for our leaders to come together like that, this country has to be headed in the right place. There are still people coming together and trying to make a difference in the world.”