By Balford Henry, Senior Staff Reporter
Saturday, January 31, 2015 | 1:20 PM
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Garrick Donaldson and Rashaun Kanute Watson, undergraduate students in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, Mona took first and second places respectively at the Charles E Williams II Advanced Leadership Institute annual Oratorical Contest in the USA.
The contest was staged at the 27th South-western Black Student Leadership Conference on Saturday, January 24 at the Texas A&M University. The UWI was also presented with an award for International Recognition.
The subject this year was, “Homicide is the leading cause of death amongst African American youth ages 15-24″.
Black youth in the US are 10 times more likely to be victims of homicide than their white peers. On August 9, 2014 an unarmed 18-year old African American male, Michael Brown, was shot 6 times and killed by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, as Brown and a friend were approaching the sidewalk. After his death the photos of Brown that were used, not only, portrayed a negative image of Brown; but young black males over all.
Mainstream media and commercial advertising continue to portray African-Americans in stereotypical roles with anti-black images. How did you believe the media framed the shooting of Michael Brown and why? Do you believe this situation stood for the justice and equality our nation prides itself on?
The Charles E Williams Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) is a special forum specifically for seasoned student leaders who have demonstrated their abilities at their own colleges.
ALI pushes these students to take it to the next level. This limited enrolment programme is held in conjunction with Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference (SBSLC), but provides a more in-depth workshop line-up and one-on-one attention.
The UWI participants received a generous contribution from the principals office.
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UWI students take top spots at US Student Leadership Conference
