Martin Luther King, Jr. was not only a civil rights activist, but a human rights activist.
He dedicated his life and death to equal rights for all people, no matter what color they were.
And, in the face of great opposition, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up for this equality using non-violent methods.
In honor of him and all those who were dedicated to the civil rights movement, BC presented a documentary Sunday, Jan 17.
The documentary was entitled “Freedom On My Mind.”
According to clarityfilms.org, it chronicled the most tumultuous and significant years in the history of the civil rights movement.
The movie was not about MLK, Jr. himself, but the movement and what it was like for both black and white people.
“[What] I found the most interesting or…eye opening was that it was not just a black thing,” Nick Gawarecki said. “But whites got involved, and were killed by other whites.”
Jackie Lawless was also surprised by the diversity of the movement.
“I was unaware prior to seeing this video that white volunteers had been murdered for helping blacks,” Lawless said. “This really opened my eyes and made me see the cruelty that southern racists bestowed on blacks and their white friends…”
The following evening, BC students, along with many other people from all walks of life, marched from City Hall to Ebenezer Baptist Church where an ecumenical service was then held.
The service had a great deal of singing, some dancing, worship, and words remembering MLK, Jr. and his legacy.
“We are demonstrating [through this march and service], what MLK, Jr. demonstrated for,” Michael Kelley, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, said. “We are not stepping backwards but moving forward, and it acknowledges that we will repeat history if we don’t learn from it.”
A message by Ms. Brenda Kerford Vaughn was given towards the end of the service, following readings from the Old and New Testament.
Vaughn spoke about greatness.
“I liked how Ms. Vaughn tied the words and work of MLK, Jr. to Jesus and his Gospel,” Sister Mary Palarino, President of the Atchison Area Ministerial Alliance, said. “Ms. Vaughn called us all to greatness, and said we all have the capacity to be great because we all have the capacity to serve.”
When asked about the march and service Vaughn commented,
“MLK, Jr. single-handedly improved the life of myself, my family, and everyone I know black or white.”
She continued, “He made us live together as human beings; not as the oppressed and the oppressor.”
The BC Chamber Singers performed “Bright Mansions”, directed by Dr. Ruth Krusemark.
Chamber Singer Paula Martin explained why King’s message of social justice is applicable to Christian life.
“The fight for social justice has been a struggle throughout time,” Martin said. “When people [are] willing to undergo hardships…for their fellow men, it is an opportunity for us to observe people like ourselves living out the example of Christ.”
