Naomi Tutu’s first knowledge of Martin Luther King, Jr. came under less than desirable circumstances.

Tutu, a South African relief worker and daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was seven years old on the night when Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. She was shocked to see the people at her church crying and praying over the death of an American that had never set foot in South Africa.

Tutu served as the keynote speaker for the University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Campus Commemoration yesterday. During her speech, Tutu discussed how black South Africans came to see their struggle for justice and equality as a common struggle to that of Martin Luther King, Jr.

“When I first came to America, many people were surprised to know that I, as a South African, knew about Dr. King and his struggle,” Tutu said. “We considered Dr. King to be a hero of our struggle in South Africa. We believed that what was happening in America was not just a struggle for civil rights, but a worldwide struggle for human rights.”

Tutu’s speech, entitled Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground, took place in Stewart Theatre yesterday and was co-sponsored by the African American Cultural Center, Office of the Provost, Black Students Board of the Union Activities Board, Office of Diversity and African American Affairs and the Association for Black Culture centers.

For the students in attendance, the message behind Tutu’s speech was an important one to remember when commemorating the work of Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Her speech was appropriate for the Commemoration of Dr. King because it dealt with striving for justice and equality, and it was the goal of Dr. King to strive for justice and equality for all people,” Andrea Grant, a junior in political sciences, said.

Tutu, who was born in Krugersdorp, South Africa, founded and was the chairperson of The Tutu Foundation, which helps South African refugees in other African counties by providing scholarships that would allow the refugees to learn skills that would make them self-supporting while in exile, as well as preparing them for constructive roles in the free South Africa.

Currently the Associate Director of the newly formed Office of International Programs at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tutu also spends her time traveling the country, speaking on the state of race and gender relations. Her speech inspired some students to think about the ways that American society can overcome racism and inequality.

“The speech talked about striving for justice and equality, and she also gave examples of ways that our generation can start to achieve this equality for all people,” Sarah Kim, a sophomore in biochemistry and the Chair of the Diversity Council, said.

For Tutu, the Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration served as an opportunity to remember the legacy of the man who had done so much to inspire her, along with many other black South Africans, in the struggle for justice and equality.

“Dr. King remains important today because he not only spoke out against injustice, but he also put his life on the line during the struggle,” Tutu said. “Dr. King’s values and the things he struggled for are reason enough to keep celebrating him for millennia to come.”