Leslie Hitchcock, Staff Writer

Remembering the dream of an individual who shaped civil rights was the theme of the 14th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program, held last night in Appalachian State University’s student union.

King, Jr.’s was remembered by several guest speakers, including Dr. Vernon C. King, nephew to the late activist.

When asked to describe the effect that his uncle had on him, King spoke as a family member, as a black American and as a minister.
“First of all, Dr. King was a minister in the fullest sense of the word,” King said. “I looked to his example of being true to the calling of serving humanity and making life better for people,” he said.

King also described his uncle as a young person who spoke out against what he thought was wrong.

He saw the inequities that happened in the south and felt that the treatment was wrong in the eyes of God, he said.

Third, in his lifestyle Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to do what was right, said King.  King, Jr. was an example of being true to the word.
Finally, King, Jr.  taught that dreams can come true, King said.

“He shared that if we believe in ourselves and in God, all things are possible,” he said.

King also discussed how his uncle’s example applies to today’s youth.
“We must believe in ourselves,” said King.  “If we believe in ourselves there is no limit to what we can become.”

King said that the youth of today should speak out against wrongs in society.  In doing that, young people can make America a better place, he said.

Additionally, if all young people get together and work for one common cause, they can make the civil rights movement work, King said.

King’s comments were followed by an address from Dr. C.T. Vivian, leading civil rights activist and former member of King, Jr.’s personal staff.

“No one has been so influential on so many critical issues for so many people as Martin King,” said Vivian.

Speaking about the journey to the next century, and describing King, Jr. as a 21st century leader, Vivian challenged people to view the late activist as an individual who prepared our country for the future.

Vivian stated that the American democratic system had a challenge with King, Jr.’s ideas—ideas that worked to free all people.

 “America found that it stood at the top of a very important decision: It had to admit that it was a sick and racist nation,” Vivian said.

As a result of the civil rights movement, the will to act was extended, a full democracy was possible, and we became the America that we are today, he said.

King, Jr. was the brainchild behind the movement, said Vivian.
Without him, the movement could not have been accomplished, according to Vivian.

Vivian posed several questions as to the success of the civil rights movement.

“Why has the movement stood still for 30 years? Now that all of us are together, what are we going to do?” he asked.

Vivian described a system to end the apparent stagnation of the country, a movement where activists act instead of reacting.

Vivian closed his oration of King with a personal tribute.  “Forgive us Lord, for we didn’t know who he was,” he said.

“If we had, we wouldn’t have let him been shot down on that balcony in Memphis.  He loved us; he didn’t have to, but he did.”

Following Vivian’s address, Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski unveiled a bust of King that will be a reminder of his legacy and of his work.

The bust will be permanently displayed in the student union’s first-floor Multicultural Center, Borkowski said.
 
 
 
 
 

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