Middlesex Community College hosted the third annual Day of Love, Acceptance and Belonging (LAB) on Wednesday, April 16. During the day, the college community had opportunities to reflect and explore how Middlesex fosters connection, counters hate, and celebrates humanity through meaningful conversations, shared experiences and creative expression.
“The Day of Love, Acceptance and Belonging is a celebration where everyone can come together to have fun and connect with others,” said Dorothy Boateng, an MCC liberal studies student from Ghana and now living in Dracut. “For me, it’s a special opportunity to network and hear the diverse stories of people from all walks of life. I would like to express my gratitude to the college and student engagement for consistently organizing events that bring people together and brighten their days.”
“The Day of Love, Acceptance and Belonging is a reminder that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued and included for who they truly are,” said Rakshika Chelly Muthuraman, an MCC Culinary Arts and Business Administration student from India and now living in Lowell. “It’s a day where we can all be friends and be happy for who we are. It’s about making an effort to build a community where love isn’t just a word, but a practice.”
Artist Anida Yoeu Ali visited MCC for two LAB Day events. During the teach-in: “What is the role of the artist in community activism?” Ali guided conversation about participants’ current challenges and joys, and how they connect to the current climate. Ali also held a talk and performance to end the day at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue and Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.
“MCC holds special status as both a community college and an Asian Studies Development Program regional center, and we’re grateful to be able to host exciting events with scholars and world-renowned artists like Anida Yoeu Ali,” said Kerri Gamache, MCC Professor of English. “Inviting Anida to Lowell to host a teach-in and to have her perform at an evening artist talk with the community felt powerful and timely. The events also resonated on another level – being the 50th anniversary of the takeover of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge regime, which led to the Cambodian genocide. Anida’s ancestral history plays a major role in some of her performance work.”
A highlight of the day included student conferences entitled “Voices United: Shaping an Inclusive Future.” Groups of students from this year’s Diversity Summit presented projects on topics including social solidarity, equity and equality, and biases and microaggressions.
“I had truly bonded with the people at the Diversity Summit and working with our group just brought everyone together,” said Glorai Carter, an MCC psychology student, of Tyngsboro. “The Day of Love, Acceptance and Belonging is an important day for me. I honor myself in allowing everyone to be together and loved – this day just helped me bond with others, more then I usually do on a daily basis.”
During a human library event, participants discussed their individual and community experiences of feeling like they belong. Students and employees also had the opportunity to engage in The Belonging Project Mural. Located on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, individuals shared messages through writings and drawings of what it means to them to be part of a community.
“The third campus-wide Day of Love, Acceptance and Belonging was a powerful opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate who we are – both as individuals and as a collective – while nurturing a deep and lasting sense of belonging for all,” said Maria Isabel Gariepy, MCC’s Executive Director of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development. “From thought-provoking dialogues to events that showcase our shared creativity and passion, this day was a reflection of our shared commitment to cultivating a campus environment where every person feels sees, heard, valued and supported.”