Courtesy of Savannah State University
Monday, January 17th, Savannah State University joined the nation in honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., beloved father, pastor and leader of the American civil rights movement. We pause every year to rightfully remember his life, and reflect upon the service and sacrifice of the many who fought alongside Dr. King, as well as those who continue to this day to fight for justice and equality for all.
Sixty-two years ago, Dr. King gave an address titled “Keep Moving from This Mountain.” Although our society has progressed a great deal since that speech, many of the injustices we combat today are sadly the same ones Dr. King protested against more than six decades ago. As we bear witness to many in our community being marginalized and discounted, still battling for equal justice, let us always remember the profound words of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
Now education has a great role to play at this point. You see, education has a two-fold function. The one is utility and the other culture. Education must give an individual efficiency, but it must also humanize the individual. On the one hand education must give us the power to concentrate, the faculty for intensive thinking; this is a basic function of education. On the other hand, education must help us to think critically. And so education helps to lift an individual from the bondage of legends and half truths to the unfettered realm of objective analysis and creative appraisal. If an individual can’t think critically he really isn’t educated.
As a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), now more than ever, it is important for us to keep Dr. King’s dream alive. It is incumbent upon us to continue to create a more educated citizenry, to fight for equality and opportunity for all and to recognize the important role we play in building a more just society. We must stand resolute in our convictions and speak out against violence and hatred. When faced with the challenges of discord and division, we must keep advancing towards equality through education. Sixty years later, I urge you to heed the words of Dr. King: “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.”
Savannah State University remains at the forefront of educating future community and world leaders, those who will be charged with the opportunity and honor of taking up the mantle to continue Dr. King’s work. We recognize that, as an HBCU, we are required to heed the words of Dr. King and use our gifts and talents to make a positive impact on the world now, as well as in the generations to come.
I encourage you to take this opportunity to respond to Dr. King’s call to action by participating in the many events organized to unite and uplift the community today.
Together, let’s continue to move forward and use this as a “day on, not a day off.”
