Honoring the past, working toward the future
Members of the community gathered to celebrate the extraordinary life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Published Feb. 1, 2005
Hoping to both honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, and discuss how to keep his visions alive today, people filled Memorial Union North on Saturday.
"I thought we should make the King celebration a bit broader this year," Deputy Chancellor Michael Middleton said. He helped organize and coordinate many of the events.
From 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, students, professors, deans, community members and even mayor Darwin Hindman gathered to commemorate King. The day began with an international breakfast. UM system executive vice president Ron Turner delieved the morning's keynote speaker. In his speech, Turner recognized South African scholars Henry Wolfkop and Basil Menzi McHunu who overcame great adversity to become the scholars they are, he said.
Turner was then honored with an award for maintaining a commitment to global peace. He was the first American to be awarded an honorary doctoral degree from a historically black South African university and has worked in Africa, Latin America and Ireland to bring about international educational development.
The day continued with a diversity student fair. Middle- and high-school students were encouraged to attend the fair, where they were able to obtain information about the study abroad program, the Multicultural Center, Diversity Peer Educators and several MU colleges.
The day focused not only on King's work, but also his present-day influence. This became evident at a panel discussion where the audience and panel spoke candidly about issues King dealt with and issues of today.
"It seems to be we have this holiday but his teachings aren't being felt," said Jeffrey Williams, panel moderator and assistant professor of English.
Members of the panel, including keynote speaker Nikki Giovanni, spoke about King's influence on their work. They told similar tales describing how King's nonviolent activism has influenced their work in such areas as gender studies, history and homosexual rights.
Many panelists said they are concerned that people remember King's legacy but do not continue it.
"I think we are waiting on our next great hero, and we must not continue to wait," said senior Jessie Berrios, Four Front chairman and the only student on the panel.
At 6 p.m., the day's main event began. Following entertainment from the Legion of Black Collegians dance team, Shades and the Cameron Youth Orchestra ' consisting of African-American youths who have performed for Jesse Jackson and Stevie Wonder, among others ' Giovanni, took the stage.
Giovanni, a widely read poet, outspoken activist and professor of English at Virginia Tech, kept the crowd intrigued throughout the evening. After capturing audience members attention by speaking about President George W. Bush, the NBA and old television shows, she presented some history on Emmett Till, the Pullman Porters and Rosa Parks. She also shared her views on King.
"'I have a dream' needs to be moved into the future so that it won't become something we look at when it is convenient," Giovanni said.
Giovanni also read some of her poetry, including a poem she wrote for King. Giovanni's message correlated with one of the day's primary themes ' how to continue King's work.
"We pay homage to him not only by recognizing him but by doing something to change," Giovanni said.