A program entitled “A Day On, Not A Day Off” was presented by Western’s Center for Multicultural Education in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 21.
In observation of the holiday, most schools and businesses are closed. However, CME had a day that talked about many people that were a part of the Civil Rights Movement. Some of the key events that went on throughout the day informed the students and the St. Joseph community about the key figures in black history.
Sophomore Emily Feger is the one of the brilliant brains behind this program. Feger coordinated and came up with ideas for how the MLK day should be coordinated. With the help of CME Director Tay Triggs and Student Development Program Coordinator Sandy Rogers, Feger put together a museum of famous black inventors, athletes and civil rights leaders.
“The purpose of the MLK Day events is to help participants gain an understanding of the legacy of Dr. King, provide an opportunity to do ’something’ relevant to social justice or service on this day and to make connections that will last a lifetime,” Triggs said.
Many students don’t know the true history about King and sometimes they take for granted the freedoms we have today.
“I would hope that students would start to consider MLK Day as a special “holiday,” Triggs said. “It is one that should push us to do community service, volunteer for events and programs, or to educate ourselves or others.”
Students who experienced the programming made squares for a quilt in memory of the struggles and triumphs that blacks went thorough during the 1950’s.
The last event was a very powerful event; there was poetry by Avia Ramsey and Janell Banks. There was also praise dancing by Tracy Reese, Regina Turner and Tiffany Lakes.
A Speaker by the name of Tyrone Bates came to speak to students not only about King, but about how they can better themselves. Bates is a North Western graduate with a Masters in secondary education, and is receiving his doctorate in educational leadership, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
He talked about what students should do rather than leave their remains, and what differences they can make in the world and the talented tenth.
“The talented tenth are student’s and people who stand out among others, who balance out the naysayer’s and none movers” said Bates.
“When he spoke he wanted the students to receive from his speech that, they have a purpose, that everything you do is about change or perpetuating struggle,” Bates said.
“Leadership is service not dictating, and that knowledge is the most powerful tool to help you grow and excel in life.”
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