On Campus: MLK day celebrations promote legacy of service, advocacy

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: “Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

On Monday, both students and the community will continue his legacy of service and advocacy.

For Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, several events will take place in Bloomington, including a march, prayer service and a Unity Summit. Other events such as the “Write My Mind” project and movie nights will contribute to the celebration as well.

Director of the Office of Diversity Education Eric Love said the Unity Summit will be
inspirational, entertaining and educational.

“Students can talk about issues of diversity and social justice in a safe and structured environment,” Love said. “They’ll get to interact with students from all different races. For many students, they don’t get a chance to do that.”

Love said the event has been held annually for several years in honor of King, but new this year is the level of student involvement – the program is completely student run.

Incorporated into the Unity Summit will be the “Write My Mind” dialogue, which is an opportunity for students to write responses to questions listed on posters at different venues on campus.

Sarah Wilcox, student organizations coordinator for the office of student organizations, said the dialogue will allow students to reflect.

“I think with the events – Obama and change and transition – people are looking for ways to act more about topics they are passionate about,” Wilcox said. “I think it’s hopefully complimenting or enacting the spirit of Dr. King in that way so people are inspired to be an advocate as he was.”

Bloomington has a commission designed to help carry out celebration events for the holiday.  

Craig Brenner, special projects coordinator in the community and family resources department, said the commission’s purpose is to celebrate the holiday and promote diversity. The commission organized several service projects and Jackson’s speech in honor of MLK day.

Brenner said the commission’s award, the “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award” will be given to a group or individual who has made substantial contributions to race relations and justice.

He said the day’s slogan, “It’s a day on, not a day off,” has significance because it’s parallel to King’s beliefs of the importance of service.

“It means even though you’re off, you should make a day of accomplishing something for the benefit of others,” Brenner said.

The heart of the celebration, while encompassing several issues, will remain prevalent.

“This year we will focus on what it means to be an advocate of social justice for those who need help,” Love said. “Students will leave with an action plan to make a difference, not only on King day, but beyond.”