As Beaumont Tower chimed the melody to “We Shall Overcome,” a group of about 900 students, faculty and staff headed toward Wharton Center’s Great Hall in the brisk cold of Monday night to end the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
During the march, representatives from student organizations such as Culturas de las Razas Unidas, Philippine American Student Society and National Pan Hellenic Council held banners bearing group logos as they walked down blocked-off streets in honor of the slain civil rights leader.
When they reached Wharton, the banners were hung from the top of the stage as the dance troupe Amka Africa and the Sound Tribe entertained the crowd.
This year’s event, themed “Building Our Future: Sustaining the Struggle for Justice,” featured writer Julianne Malveaux as its keynote speaker.
About 1,500 people attended the program, which also included remarks from student group leaders, a video presentation and a song by the MSU Gospel Chorale.
Earlier in the day, Malveaux, a syndicated columnist, addressed economic issues affecting minorities, King’s legacy and what can be done to improve civil rights in the present.
“He left us a legacy,” she said. “We haven’t finished, and we have to continue the struggle. The issue is, there isn’t urgency anymore. I’d like for the Lansing and MSU communities to think of his unfinished business. We should celebrate his birthday and his business.”
During her speech, Malveaux discussed problems affecting minorities ranging from poverty to racism.
“Don’t forget, Dr. King didn’t die dreaming - he died trying to raise the wages of garbage workers in Memphis,” she said. “How many people today are willing to take it to the streets to increase minimum wage?”
Malveaux also discussed apathy that exists among people not willing to recognize problems affecting America.
“More of us are prepared to go along to get along, noting that things are wrong, but doing little about them because, after all, we’re comfortable,” she said. “I’ve been stunned by the number of young black people who will either argue that the movement is over or that there is no more racism.
“The civil rights struggle must also be a struggle for economic restructuring and economic justice.”
Marketing senior Amondo Redmond, chairman of the MLK Celebration Planning Committee, said he thinks it is crucial that students participate in events designed to honor King.
“I think it’s important to realize that this university needs to be as inclusive as possible,” he said. “We need to acknowledge the achievements of all minorities. By acknowledging the birthday of Dr. King, we are acknowledging his achievements.”
Lee June, vice president for student affairs and services, said he thinks the amount of participation at the march demonstrates students commitment to celebrating the holiday.
“I think the participation in programs shows that students not only wanted the day off to not go to classes, but they are using it to think about Dr. King’s life and ideals and how it relates to the 21st century,” he said.
About 1,000 people participated in last year’s march, and more than 3,000 crowded into Wharton’s Pasant Theatre for the presentation from Kweisi Mfume, president and chief executive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Darren Lamb, programming director for Black Student Alliance, said he thinks student participation in the day’s events shows appreciation for King’s legacy.
“If Martin Luther King Jr. had said, ‘I don’t feel like marching to Selma,’ we would still be in the back of the bus and getting beaten in the head with night sticks,” the journalism senior said. “We might as well do something positive to support a black legend.”
Some students were excited to have the day off to reflect on the memory of King.
Fisheries and wildlife junior Lindsay Wetzler said she has always appreciated King’s work and accomplishments.
“I liked everything he stood for,” she said. “This is just a small portion of what I can do. He changed history. Our world would be a different place without him.”
Marketing senior Shanaveia Bowman said she thinks students who chose not to attend the program missed out on a good opportunity.
“I wanted to see how he impacted organizations for gays, lesbians and Native Americans,” she said. “The things we go through daily don’t compare to what he went through. I admire his faith, because he went through a lot.”
Camille Spencer can be reached at spenc105@msu.edu.
