GHS News

Senator Tim Kaine Speaks To GHS Students For Martin Luther King Day

Virginia’s Junior Senator Joins A Zoom Call To Speak On Importance of Political Involvement

Editor Tyler Bagent

On Friday, January 22, Senator Tim Kaine joined a roundtable discussion with members of Mrs. Carter’s History Classes and the WEB DuBois Honor Society to speak on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. He also spoke on several other topics, including the Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol this past month.

On Friday, Senator Kaine joined the class through Zoom call, with an opportunity to ask him questions. He spoke on MLK’s legacy, particularly through his activism and fight for civil rights. Kaine told numerous stories about his life and career, recalling a memory in which a family-friend hurled slurs following King’s assasination. Kaine also recounts being inspired by his need for justice and researching his speeches and marches.

Not only did Kaine speak about activism, he also fielded questions on numerous other topics. He said “I never would’ve imagined it would happen, I’ll never forget it, and I hope it never happens again” in regards to the January 6th Capitol Storming, as he outlined his experience being on the Senate floor and evacuating with other Senators. He also was asked a question from a student who wondered if Kaine ever wanted to “punch another Senator,” and to which Kaine laughed and responded by highlighting the need for cordiality and bipartisanship.

In addition to these, he was also asked questions about confederate monuments, his faith, his opposition to former President Trump, and a variety of other topics

Following this, he held another roundtable with students from a high school in Chesapeake. Mrs. Carter said that her students took a keen interest in Kaine’s answers, regardless if they agreed with him. This discussion and questioning of a U.S. Senator is likely to get students involved, even if just paying attention to key issues.