Dorothy Clarke Wilson Peace Writing Prize 2021

Dorothy Clarke Wilson of Orono, Maine was an internationally known peacemaker who was committed to writing on social issues and world peace.  To encourage today’s University of Maine students to share in the commitment, Dorothy Clarke Wilson established a $500 annual award for the most compelling written work on a peace related topic. This competition is open to all University of Maine students.

2021 Topic

Applicants were asked to reflect on this quotation drawn from Dr. King’s celebrated Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

 

“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have never yet engaged in a direct-action movement that was ‘well timed’ according to the timetable of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word ‘wait’… We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.’” – Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963

●  At what point does justice become “denied” – how does one tell the difference between appropriate patience and delaying justice too long? What roles do patience and urgency play in the creation of justice?

●  How does this quote apply to another social justice issue about which you are passionate, such as prison reform, climate justice, or indigenous sovereignty?

●  How are Dr. King’s words relevant in your life today?

2021 PWP Winner: Lakshya Bharadwaj

 

Lakshya Bharadwaj with Sonja Birthisel (Director) and Jack Leopold (Program Coordinator).

Lakshya Bharadwaj read his winning essay at our Wednesday Dinner & Dialogue Event dedicated to MLK Jr. day.

You can read his work below.

View last year’s topic and winner here.