MLK events infuse meaning into holiday

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Last year I was very skeptical when classes were canceled in observance
of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

I was skeptical as to the motives behind students’ support for the
day off and the university’s commitment to celebrating MLK’s legacy.

Rather, I thought it was what students saw as a way of not having to
go to classes, and what the administration saw as the politically
correct thing to do.

However, last year’s events – as well as the many planned this week
globally and locally at CMU – not only prove me wrong, but also bring
us one step closer to Dr. King’s dream.

Our campus community is not merely recognizing a politically-correct
holiday, we are joining those across the country and around the world
in a celebration of tolerance, equality and interracial cooperation.

The King Center has said this King holiday is “In the Spirit of
Unity and Service Remember! Celebrate! Act!”

That’s what members of the CMU community and others in the state,
country and world are doing at various MLK service project sites.

Service projects include Sports for Peace in Naf Atsugi, Japan and
Acts of Kindness in Texarkana, Ariz.

From the Millionth Meal Celebration in Tucson, Ariz., to the
Community Restoration Project in Sacramento, Calif., the nation
is commemorating what King’s widow calls “all the timeless values he
taught us through his example – the values of courage, truth, justice,
compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr.
King’s character and empowered his leadership.”

This week we are taking a positive step as a nation, state and
university.

We’re not taking the day off in observance – we aren’t taking
anything off. We’re taking the day on.

Through service projects such as MLK Day of Service at the Isabella
Community Soup Kitchen and the Campus for Coats program, we are taking
the day on.

Through celebrations like the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity
March and Unity Ball, we are taking the day on.

Through education and the lessons we will learn from the affirmative
action panel and “An Evening with Rev. Bernice King,” we are taking the
day on.

Most importantly, through interracial and intercultural unity,
committed to service and remembrance, we’re taking the day on.

Those who don’t participate in any of this week’s MLK activities are
no different.

They can’t possibly wake up Monday morning and not be affected by
this Holiday because CMU has taken a stand.

By canceling classes and hosting such an impressive week of events,
our university has said we will join the world in taking the day on.

As a result, even those who don’t participate can’t separate
themselves this week from CMU’s loud voice of commitment to diversity,
equality and all the timeless values Dr. King represents.

Kate Finneren can be reached at news@cm-life.com.