North Central's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is sponsoring a Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest.  The contest is open to currently enrolled NCMC students, and cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place entries.  Details are below.

Essay Theme:

During the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leading voice against social injustices.  He helped others see that the fight against racism was connected to other injustices because all people are connected to one another.  In his renowned essay “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” Dr. King said:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Participants are invited to create an essay that creatively responds to one of the following prompts:

  1. Describe a social injustice, inequality, or human rights issue you have seen or experienced and share how it impacted you and your community.  Explain what you did (or would do) to fight against that injustice. 

    OR

  2. Why are King's Civil Rights strategies still relevant today in helping marginalized people achieve equity and equality?

Contest Rules:

  • One entry per student.
  • Entries must be typed and 1 – 2 pages, double-spaced.
  • Pages must be single-sided with student’s name and email appearing at the top left of each page.
  • Entries must be submitted electronically to: LSS@ncmich.edu
  • Deadline for submission: Wednesday, January 12, by 3 p.m.

Judging Criteria:

Winners will be selected according to the following criteria:

  • Originality
  • Writing quality
  • Relevance to theme
  • Effective and creative expression

Prizes:

1st Place Prize:       $500
2nd Place Prize:      $300
3rd Place Prize:       $100

President Finley will announce the contest winners on Monday, January 17.