–By Armando Sultan and Katherine Guest–
Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, the most famous inimitable piece of rhetoric in U.S. history, continues to resonate with Americans.
Honoring the most prolific figure of the American Civil Rights Movement, NJCU’s Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center presented the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon.
The event began with a gospel written by Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams, and performed by NJCU’s choir. Candles were passed from person to person to honor the death of the demoralized.
“This event is about interconnectivity,” said keynote speaker, Maxim Thorne, Esq., respected lawyer and philanthropist, who addressed the audience with a brief history about the origins of slavery. “Our story is a story of love, gays and straights, women. Our story is a story of oppression.”
The American Civil Rights Movement consisted of multiple movements which tackled the issues of segregation, discrimination and inequality amongst ethnic, racial and biological groups. Similarly, the LGBT movement pushes acceptance amongst American society.
“Movements such as the Women’s, Gay Rights, and the Civil Rights are all intimately related. The subject of social injustice affects us all.”
During the event, Maria Gomez, NJCU SGO President, felt “touched, coming from an immigrant background. I feel connected to everyone in the room.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that all humans deserve equal treatment, no matter the skin color.
“It’s not just black men and women; it’s about the human struggle. The human right,” said Thorne.
In honor of MLK, NJCU’s Lee Hagan Africana Studies rewarded two recipients for exemplary dedication to both education and their communities. The scholarship winner was Erika Isler, management and pre-law major.
“My academics are important to me, not only for my personal and scholastic development, but because I’ve been given this second opportunity, as this is not my first time in college, to challenge myself to be a better individual, to be a better woman, to challenge racial and cultural barriers in our society and to promote the importance of education,” said Isler.
Isler could not attend the event due to her grandmother’s funeral in Africa. She left a statement with Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams, the event organizer, and director of Lee Hagan African Studies and executive committee.
“People volunteering and working across various committees helped in a big way behind the scenes,” said Vendia Rodman Jenkins, executive committee member and director of Speichler-Reuben Women’s Center.
Dr. Joanne Bruno was awarded ‘community service honoree’ for her work as managing editor of the Rutgers’ Women’s Rights Law Reporter and as founder of New Jersey School of Conservation.
As the event came to a close, the attendees stood and held hands. Gwen Moten, a distinguished performer and vocal trainer, led everyone in song—”We Shall Overcome.” Connectivity and togetherness was embraced by joined hands.
“It was a very moving event. It’s so humbling to serve with our music. It’s an honor to be a part of something so memorable,” said Jessica Nelson, choir member currently studying Musical Theatre.