In the heat of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr . delivered the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, where he stressed the importance of non-violent protest and the undeniable need for racial equality in America.
Forty-eight years later, not only is King celebrated through a national holiday, but his message is still being taught through campus-wide events.
Wes Moore, author of “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” led one such event by paying tribute to King in his own speech given to students Jan. 9.
Tanya Watson, a graduate student in curriculum and instruction, attended the event and spoke on what it meant to her.
“For me, the activities and Martin Luther King’s teachings interrupt the negative thoughts I have, and as a woman and an African American, convince me to understand the plight of others and ‘The Other’ [Wes Moore’s book],” Watson said.
Having a campus with a population of around 30,000 – all of whom come from different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures – makes it imperative to continue to promote King’s convictions, according the speech.
“Wes Moore also weaved into his talk the importance of having multiple vantage points, where our view should be a world view, an outward look into the lives of others,” Watson added.
Other students have seen the benefits for having these events at the University as well.
“One thing I like about this campus the most is how much it promotes diversity and how that brings everyone together to make a bond that no one else can understand,” Kendyll Graham, a freshman in animal science, said.
According to Kathryn Michael, director of youth programs for the CSLEPS’s Service-Leadership Team, several Martin Luther King Jr . Day events took place throughout the week.
“The event’s theme is ‘respecting our right to free speech’ in light of the hate speech incidents on campus,” Michael said. “Edward Brown, director of diversity p rograms at N.C . State, spoke on this and led a discussion. We also had another speaker, Dennis Gullick , give some remarks on peaceful protest, and then we made some signs for the march that participants did around campus.”
The SLT will also be making hygiene kits and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Raleigh Rescue Mission, along with donating 48 haircut vouchers to The Healing Place, Michael said.
The same group will be hosting the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr . Service Challenge Saturday, funded by the NC Campus Compact Grant.
“Due to a huge response from the student body, we had to cut off registration for the event at 100 students; our goal was 50. In addition, 50 Ligon Middle School students participated,” Michael added.
Uniting students from all levels of education in a combined effort service project shows the power King’s words still hold almost 50 years later, according to Michael.
“His quote, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what you are doing for others’ and his belief that anybody can serve were inspirations for the event,” Michael said.