This year marks the 30th anniversary since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first celebrated in the United States.
This afternoon Knox College dedicated their winter convocation to celebrating and examining the civil rights leader’s legacy.
All three faculty speakers reflected on the role King’s message plays in today’s cultural and political landscape.
Knox History Department Chair Konrad M. Hamilton cited President Obama’s call for a “better politics” at his final State of the Union and the rush of support for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who has put economic justice at the center of his White House bid, as examples of King’s ideals living on.
Visiting Instructor in Africana Studies Kwame Zulu Shabazz also spoke.
He says that unwillingness to see color weakens efforts to achieve justice.
He made this argument against the backdrop of the United States history of native american genocide and injustice towards people of color.
“If you understand that America has been engaged in a perpetual war with it’s black citizens then I think you’ll agree that the rhetoric that all lives matter rings hollow because all lives aren’t being targeted by this vicious assault that is ongoing.”
The program also included the Knox College Choir, poetry recitations from students and an original poem for the occasion written and performed by founder of Knox’s Africana Studies department, Fred Hord.
