MLK essay contest to honor civil rights

January 2011, will honor the 25th celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honoring King for the sacrifices he made to push the U.S. toward equality.

MLK Jr. Day was first celebrated on IU’s campus in 1995, and in 1998, students and faculty were first given the day off from classes.

To further spread the spirit of King, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs has created the MLK Jr. Day Essay contest.

The contest asks students to look into their own lives and to notice anyone who exemplifies the values and attitude of King.

The contest is open to all Bloomington undergradate and graduate students.

The first place winner of both the undergraduate and graduate categories will receive a 32GB iPad.

Roberta Radovich, program coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, said the MLK, Jr. celebration committee wants students to think about how King relates to their own life and to reflect on their own connection to him.

This year’s essay prompt, “What sacrifice(s) has someone you admire made in order to follow King and sustain his legacy, as the Rev. Jackson suggests we should?,” is based off a speech recently given by the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Laura Plummer, director of the Campus Writing Program, highlighted the importance of students drawing on King’s legacy in order to reflect on their own lives.

“It’s a chance for students to think about a personal experience,” she said.

The winners of the contest will recite their work at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Breakfast, which Plummer said is the highlight of the event.

“I really enjoy being able to see students perform their work,” Plummer said. “It’s a rare opportunity.”

The MLK essay contest, Plummer said, is part of the greater message of MLK Jr. Day — to admire King for the change he helped bring about in the U.S.

Junior Francesca Fuerman said she thinks it’s great that the U.S. honors him each year.

“I think he’s such an important leader and historical figure,” she said.

Sophomore Chris Port said he thinks a day in King’s honor can attest to how far our country has come, even if he still thinks there are pitfalls.

“I don’t think we’re all the way there yet,” he said. “I think it shows how much progress the country has made.”