Creativity Contest

The 2023 MLK Legacy Day celebration also includes the annual creativity contest.

One of the cornerstones of Dr. King’s legacy is his call for civic participation and fight to counter voter suppression. We invite current graduate and undergraduate students to submit creative works made in response to one of the following prompts related to voting rights and access. Your creative work may take the form of a nonfiction essay, sculpture, poem, short story, painting, photograph, or spoken word performance, or other creative form. Winners of this creativity contest will be announced during the celebration on February 1, 2023.

1. Young Voters Matter

According to data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement 27% of voters ages 18–29 participated in the mid-term elections the highest voter turnout for this demographic in 30 years. The impact of young voters is both meaningful and necessary in shaping our society at large. Although there is an increase in voter engagement among this age group there is still opportunity. 

How can young voters engage through action?

2. BABO Loves a Challenge

Voter suppression tactics have increased with over 350 new bills introduced the past three years that would limit access to voting for many people. In a myriad of ways from redistricting to more restrictive identification rules, the challenge of access for many communities is daunting. At Babson when we see a challenge we employ ET&A in a way that employs innovation and creativity to solve even the most daunting challenge.

What are ways that you can apply ET&A to the challenge of voter access?

3. Democracy is the Cornerstone of Our Citizenship

As Americans, voting is important because we are a democracy, part of the definition of citizenship access. Voting rights are critically important because of the magnitude of the potential impact on society. Restricted access conveys a sense of separation and inequity that isn’t representative of the ideals of a democracy. Silencing segments of our population further conveys a sense of separation and contributes to inequity moving our country away from the ideals of a true democracy.

For our international students, if you come from a nation where democracy is not a part of your system please share your experience and the ways you exercise civic responsibility.

Reflect on a time when you did, or did not, have access in a situation. What did you understand about that experience for yourself and who you are in relation to others and your sense of agency and citizenship?