Students of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity hosted a very spirited tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, in the Rensselaer Union’s Shelnutt Gallery. Bruce Elliott ’03, president of Alpha Phi Alpha, said that honoring the work of King is imperative, because “we’re going to be the ones that truly define [culture]. We’re trying to become more individualized. It’s important that we know our past.”
“[King] did what he had to do ... It takes a lot of [courage] to fight for people’s rights,” said Richard Hicks Jr. ’04. Recordings of King’s famous speeches played in the beginning of the tribute transported those attending back to the era of the civil rights movement. (If you want to listen to audio recordings of King’s speeches, they can be downloaded from Archer Audio Archives at http://www.archervalerie.com/mlk.html.)
“I admire that he stood for equality for all and also that he was a man of God and his nonviolent approach,” said Crystal Wallace ’04.
Attendees were later divided into small groups discussion on topics related to King’s life and ideas: what the world would be like if King had not existed, what the world would be like if he had not been assassinated, and whether or not King’s assassination was part of a larger conspiracy.
Many held the opinion that racial relations would be better today if King had not been assassinated, and if his message had continued. Some even believed that King would have become the nation’s first black president. A large group discussion followed, which focused on the topics of “Then and Now,” “Modern Black Leaders,” and “Race Relations.” Most of those who attended the discussion thought society recently had become more integrated after the events of September 11 but were largely concerned about racial profiling. Racial profiling, unfortunately, has become “a necessary evil” for security reasons.
The most heated topic, however, was concerned about black hair styles. Not enough tolerance has been shown toward individualistic style expressions, such as dreadlocks and afros. Disrespect for those wearing different styles has become symbolistic of modern racial struggles.
Although approximately 20 people did attend the tribute, non-black ethnic groups were not represented among those in attendance. “I thought it was a good turnout ... I would have liked a more diversified crowd,” said Elliott. It is disconcerting that so few recognized this great man on a holiday devoted to him, especially considering King’s advancement of the Civil Rights Movement.
