MLK Jr. Day: How to Honor His Dream
Written by Beth Baranski and Andreas Fields
Posted on January 14, 2020
As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, GVSU has plenty of events to commemorate the monumental impact MLK Jr. has had on the civil rights movement and on our society. From a day of service to keynote speakers, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved and carry on the legacy of Dr. King.
Articulating His Vision
The week kicks off on Jan. 20 with Yusef Salaam, a keynote speaker joining GVSU in the Fieldhouse at 2 p.m. Salaam spends much of his time traveling the U.S. giving lectures and engaging audiences in conversations regarding race and class. His primary focus is the way the U.S. legal system fails in protecting the youth.
Ending Environmental Injustice
On Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand River Room, another keynote speaker, Cedric Taylor, will be giving a presentation on the environmental injustices of the world. He’ll be following it up with a workshop titled, “Film as Activism: Documentary Film Making with Your Smartphone,” to teach the reality of documenting social injustices.
Following His Footsteps
Closing the week on Saturday, Jan, 25, the Community Service Learning Center will hold their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity. Staff, faculty, and students will join members of the community for a keynote message and service project afterwards. The event will educate participants on the enduring legacy of the civil rights movement and encourage them to follow in MLK Jr.’s footsteps.
The theme of the week is #NowIsTheTime, honoring the speech that MLK Jr. gave on the Lincoln Memorial steps in Washington D.C. For more information on the keynote speakers or to register for the event, visit the MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity page or the Commemoration Week page.