Deacon Art Miller Visits Westminster to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

On Jan. 20, Westminster students gathered for special programming to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event centered on a screening of Till, a 2022 film directed by Chinonye Chukwu that depicts the tragic story of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Following the screening, students participated in small-group discussions before reconvening for an assembly featuring Deacon Art Miller.

Miller, whose older brother was a classmate and friend of Emmett Till, shared personal reflections on his connection to the tragedy, its impact on his life, and his experiences growing up as an African American in the United States. Miller was 10 years old when Emmett was murdered. He spoke passionately about the systemic racism that led to Till’s death, explaining how Jim Crow laws and the silence of the nation allowed such atrocities to occur.

“It was the system of hatred that killed Emmett Till,” Miller said. He described how Till, who had polio and a speech impediment, was unjustly targeted by a dehumanizing system. Miller recalled how his brother described Till as exceptionally intelligent and emphasized the loss of not just Till’s life but also the immense potential he could have contributed to his community and country.

The injustice of Till’s death profoundly influenced Miller’s life. Active in the Civil Rights Movement alongside Dr. King, Miller has continued his advocacy for justice over the decades. He is a Vietnam War veteran and the former director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of Hartford. A sought-after speaker, Miller addresses schools, churches, and communities, challenging individuals to take action against injustice and avoid being passive bystanders.

During his talk, Miller warned of the enduring effects of hate. “Hate kills forever,” he said, urging students to stand against injustice, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. He posed a challenge to the audience: “Are you one of the 95% who will sit by as a bystander, or will you be part of the 5% who make a difference?”

Sixth Former Hadley Crowther reflected on Miller’s address, saying, “Deacon Art Miller was truly remarkable. He genuinely cared about making each and every one of us feel seen and valued, not just through his inspiring words but also in the way he connected with us individually.”

Miller also shared memories of growing up in a racially divided community, where he often remained silent in the face of bullying and exclusion. He described the lasting pain of that silence and urged students not to make the same mistake. “You have the power to make a difference. Every single one of you is a grand possibility.

Don’t let silence perpetuate pain,” he said. Miller reminded students that in moments of injustice, comfort and silence are not enough—each person has a responsibility to speak up and stand against hate and intolerance.

Devonna Hall, dean of diversity, equity and inclusion, spoke about Art’s visit, saying, "Deacon Art possesses a remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages, races and backgrounds. His personal relationship with Emmett Till became the catalyst for his lifelong commitment to civil rights advocacy. Over the past decade, Deacon Art has spoken at Westminster numerous times, and each visit leaves a profound and lasting impact on our students."

"Deacon Art made me feel incredibly seen and valued," said Sixth Former Sofia Davella. "I went up afterwards to thank him for his time and he was such a lovely man. His words brought me to tears and his efforts are so necessary to keep his message alive. I will remember his presentation for the rest of my life."