CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Museum of Art used poetry and other forms of art to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision for a better society.

What You Need To Know

  • The museum held a virtual program called "Becoming a Beloved Community
  • The program featured poet's Orlando Watson and Honey Bell-Bey, as well as remarks by Rev. Dr. Jawanza Colvin

  • The museum was also open to in-person visits

 

Poets Honey Bell-Bey and Orlando Watson recited poems and participated in a moderated discussion during a virtual program called 'Becoming a Beloved Community.'

Among the topics discussed was the Cleveland Indians' name change.

“I think what Dr. King would have us to realize is that even when you aren’t directly impacted if someone else is, it’s our responsibility as our civil and moral duty to look after them and to make everybody comfortable in this space as much as we can," Watson said.

Participants also discussed how people can get involved in their community, despite the pandemic.

“I’d familiarize myself with all the art institutions and some of the grassroots institutions here as well so I would start with that. I’d educate myself on what’s here, and I'd examine ways to collaborate and reach out to them because nine times out of 10 if you reach out, they’ll reach out back to you.”

The museum sold out for in-person visits.