(Dr. Martin Luther King speaks at the base of the Janss Steps on the UCLA campus on April 27, 1965. The speech took place one month and two days after the triumphant march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Photo courtesy UCLA.)
By Kimberly Freeman ('02)
Each year on the third Monday in January, many organizations across the country, including UCLA, pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. King is remembered by most for one of the greatest speeches in American history. It was a defining moment of the Civil Rights movement, and I challenge us in the 21st century not to let the phrase “I Have a Dream” be our defining memory of Dr. King and his leadership and service to mankind.
It was Dr. King who once famously stated, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?’” In response, some organizations use the third Monday in January as a day of service in the community. If you are not planning to volunteer in the community on the King Holiday, how will you honor Dr. King’s legacy?
Dr. King gave 350 speeches in his lifetime, one of which was to a crowd of 4,500 UCLA students, alumni, faculty and staff at the bottom of Janss Steps. Today, our Bruin connection to Dr. King and his legacy remains strong. Some of you may have already seen the film, Selma, directed by Bruin alumna, Ava Duvernay. If you haven’t seen Selma yet, this weekend would be a great time to go and learn more about the courageous citizens who marched from Selma to Montgomery in advance of the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On Monday, I plan to see Selma with my mother and my nieces and nephews. That’s just one way I’ll be honoring Dr. King this year.
However you choose to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, let us not forget that at a school like UCLA Anderson, where we share successes, think fearlessly and drive change, we can and should pause to reflect upon what Dr. King’s contributions and legacy of leadership and service mean to each of us.
Recording of Dr. Martin Luther King speaking on the UCLA campus in 1965:
Kimberly Freeman is UCLA Anderson's assistant dean for diversity initiatives and community relations.
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