East Tennessean

Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Travis Brown/East Tennessean Faculty and students marched from Seehorn Drive to State of Franklin Road on a Unity March in Tuesday's celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, which takes place Jan. 21.

Media Credit: Travis Brown/East Tennessean Tracy Haynes recited King's "I Have A Dream" speech on Tuesday at the celebration of King's birthday.

"I say unto you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, we hold these truths self-evident, that all men are created equal."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Tuesday, students and teachers gathered in the D.P. Culp Center Ballroom to celebrate Dr. King's upcoming national holiday. The event kicked-off with a welcome speech by Laura Terry, the director of Multicultural Affairs.
Everyone then stood for the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" performed by Kimberly Pete.
Two guest speakers were scheduled to speak, Dr. Douglas Covington and Tracy Haynes, but Covington wasn't able to attend due to illness.
Letee Harris, an assistant in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, spoke of King's personal and career-oriented achievements.
"The dream is truly coming true," said Haynes before he recited King's "I Have A Dream" speech.
Ash-Lee Henderson, president of the Black Affairs Association, was a keynote speaker. She mentioned Coretta Scott King and the meaning behind Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday.
Henderson also encouraged everyone to serve others and actively work toward King's dream of freedom, equality, unity and service.
The event ended inside with everyone standing up and joining Pete in singing "We Shall Overcome," which was accompanied by Cyril Crenshaw on the piano.
The event really ended however with a Unity Walk where everyone walked with signs from Seehorn Drive to State of Franklin Road and back to campus.
"I'm very pleased with the outcome of the Martin Luther King birthday celebration," Henderson said. "I was pretty shocked to be the keynote speaker and hope that our intended speaker feels better soon! I'm really glad that I had an opportunity to define what the holiday is really all about [remembrance, education, service]. The entire celebration including the Unity Walk was a success and I am proud to have been a part of it."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday in January.
It is the first national holiday created for an African American. He is remembered for his love, fairness, honesty and his peaceful means.
"I think this is very encouraging because it makes you understand Dr. Martin Luther King's mission and vision," said Keara Goldston, a student who attended the event.
"It clearly is unity and no matter who you are you should be able to make peace with everyone you encounter," she said.

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