SRU held the “Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration” in the Student Smith Center Ballroom Tuesday during common hour to reflect on his life and legacy.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a primary leader in the Civil Rights Movement and encouraged a revolutionary change in the push for equality.
The event focused on how despite the fact that pro-segregationists disagreed with Martin Luther King Jr., he eventually won the Nobel Peace Prize and faced prison time for his beliefs.
The event commenced with a welcoming video to the song, “I Have Been to the Mountain Top.” Students at the event conducted readings, reflections and poetry dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments.
A video compilation included students holding a piece of paper that expressed feelings about their current lives. “Because of Dr. King . . . ,” the paper read, and students filled in the blank with various emotions. Some simple things like, “I can listen to Beyoncé,” and others more sentimental, such as “I can be seen as a human being,” “I can embrace my ethnicity” and “I understand the importance of serving and critical thinking.”
Sophomore dance and communication major Catharyn Burton explained that without Martin Luther King, she would not exist.
“He changed my life because I have a white mom and a black dad, so they would be able to get married,” Burton said.
“I am proud to go to a school where the opportunities are given equally to everyone.”
Junior physical education major Malcolm Arthur Roberson said that Martin Luther King allowed him to be himself.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will kick off the events of Black History Month, which occurs in February. On Feb. 2 at 12:30 p.m., the “Black History Month Kick Off” will present art, history games, videos and music in the Smith Student Ballroom. On Feb. 4 the Disney film, “Remember the Titans” will be shown in the ATSC Auditorium at 7 p.m. This is a prelude to an event that will happen on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m., when inspirational sports spokesman Herman Boone, the former coach of the Titans, will discuss racial issues.
“Martin Luther King has changed everyone’s views on life,” sophomore public health major, Odell Richardson said. “That is very important to me. Martin Luther King is like a strong tower. Whenever something is going wrong in your life, you can think of what he has done and his words of encouragement to help you through any situation. He is a strong tower.”
