January 31, 2012

By Seung Ah Lee

Columbia residents gathered Wednesday night to hear comedian Larry Wilmore give a speech honoring Martin Luther King Jr. The event took place on Wednesday in the Missouri Theatre.

Wilmore is also a writer and producer and appears on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” as the “senior black correspondent.” Using standup comedy, he explored tough issues like racism, gay rights and prejudice. He said people should patiently wait for racism to be gone.

“Of course it takes time,” Wilmore said. “We didn’t get this racism overnight. Look, it is like losing weight.”

The evening started with the presentation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award. Every year, the MU Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee chooses a Columbia or Boone County resident or group to receive this award to recognize the people who carry along King’s legacy and make an inspiring difference in others’ lives through their service.

This year’s recipient is Pamela Ingram, the founder and director of Granny’s House in Columbia, which provides a safe and welcoming after-school activity place for under-privileged children.

“We want what happens in Granny’s House for the kids to affect every single decision they make for the rest of their lives,” Ingram said.

Freshman Thomas Gardner shared his reasoning for attending the event.

“It is a memorial ceremony regarding Martin Luther King Jr.,” Gardner said. “He was a great civil rights leader.”

Ty Christian, MU alumnus and former chief marketing strategist on the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, presented the National Memorial Replica to MU.

“We are here to celebrate and honor one of America’s greatest patriots, Dr. Martin Luther King, ” Christian said. “I never met Dr. King personally, but his work and legacy has opened the door for me. He has been a figure of hope, he has been my universe.”

Christian said his grandmother lived by one of the most important teachings of King, strong self-respect and respect for others. He said she used self-confidence and respect for herself as a proper tool to combat challenges, like King did.

“She was consumed by the fact that she was equal to anyone and everyone,” Christian said. “Not better, not first, but equal.”

Christian said he was surprised racial or gender-related attacks or incidents still take place on campus.

“I am not quite sure if it is any better or different from 1977,” Christian said. “To my surprise, one would assume it is better. On the other hand, it all comes down to simple talking each other, understanding each other and it is a hard work.”

Freshman Eric Steagall said he believes Americans have already learned a lot from King.

“Dream big and don’t let things stop you,” Steagall said. “You put all this effort and time, you can accomplish something.”