A Vision for Beloved Community at UMBC
“The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation… It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of [humans].” — Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., 1957 speech “A Birth of a New Nation”
The Beloved Community is a vision of a global society where all people can live in freedom, peace, and social equity, free from prejudice and discrimination. The term was popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, but its origins can be traced back to the work of philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce.
The Beloved Community is characterized by:
- Shared wealth: All people can share in the world’s wealth, and poverty, hunger, and homelessness are no longer tolerated.
- Peaceful conflict resolution: International disputes are resolved peacefully.
- Love and trust: Fear and hatred are overcome with love and trust.
- Community & Kinship: Racism and discrimination are replaced with an inclusive spirit of sisterhood, brotherhood, community, and kinship.
A Vision for Beloved Community at UMBC: We strive to build a *beloved community*—a space where we honor the richness of our collective identities, perspectives, and experiences while fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging. Grounded in our institutional values of inclusive excellence, we work to ensure every member of our community feels seen, heard, and valued. As a university that redefines excellence in higher education, our inclusive culture connects innovative teaching and learning, interdisciplinary research, and civic engagement. Through the leadership of the Division of Institutional Equity (DoOIE), we uphold commitments to accessibility, equity, and justice, creating pathways for all to thrive.
