On Monday, Jan. 15, the Associated Student Government, the Distinguished Lectures Committee and the Black Students Association partnered to sponsor an annual vigil commemorating the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The vigil spotlighted speakers, including Chancellor Charles Robinson, and a moderated Q&A between ASG advisor to Vice-President Laney Kellybrew and LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter.
Bryson Austin, ASG Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, opened the ceremony with remarks about Dr. King before introducing Chancellor Robinson as a man dedicated to fighting for low-income students and students of color.
“It is important recognition of the university’s embrace of King’s legacy and his fundamental purpose for serving this country,” Robinson said. “As Bryson mentioned, King never was satisfied with the status quo; he recognized that America was built on a promise that all of its citizens had rights to certain American freedoms.”
Kellybrew then took the stage for an event she said had been in progress since the summer. Even though the vigil was moved virtually due to weather, she claimed it was a success with over 100 Zoom attendees.
“I hope that attendees were able to take away the hope of Martin Luther King’s legacy but not the comfortability,” Kellybrew said. “A lot of people on that Zoom understood that there is a significant amount of work to be done for equality, and the first step of that process is uncomfortable conversations. The work for racial equality isn’t done yet.”
Laney said she wanted attendees to have hope and understand that young people are the future. Brown, whose work centers on the intersection of social justice, political empowerment, human development and the cultural arts began her segment with a freedom song: “Keep your eyes on the prize and hold on.”
Through her time speaking, Brown highlighted the process that Black people in America have made while also highlighting the work that remains to be done.
“I believe there has been evolution,” Brown said. “What we do know is that younger generations have a much greater tolerance of difference and race, which I think is a powerful evolution. Part of the reason why I like to talk to students and young people, I think y’all have expanded thinking around institutions.”
Kellybrew added to this institution, highlighting the fact the event was even able to happen and amass a large audience.
“Things aren’t the same as they used to be,” Kellybrew said. “The fact that me and LaTosha were able to have that conversation in the first place shows how far we’ve come.”
All speakers and sponsors of the event emphasized the importance of the Martin Luther King holiday as a day of progress and a time to reflect on a promising future.
Robinson said that Dr. King is a great reflection of what it means to be a dutiful, activist and true American who works to provide access to the American dream.
“We will not rest on our laurels,” Robinson said. “We will continue to push for equal opportunity with a great energy and urgency, because today is the time to make the changes that we need to make to better ensure more people have access to the American dream.”