A candlelight vigil was held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Alice Millar Chapel today.
The vigil was presented by both the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the MLK Day Planning Committee. Alpha Phi Alpha brother Jonathan Knowles welcomed the congregation who came to honor King’s legacy.
Northwestern Community Ensemble sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by J.W. Johnson following Knowles’ welcome. Asociate Chaplain Jacquelina Marquez then delivered the invocation, calling for perseverance in the continued search for justice. This message was further expanded on by a capella group Treblemakers when they performed “Run” after the invocation.
“We are running towards that vision of peace and acceptance and equality that Martin Luther King, Jr. had,” the Treblemakers said before they performed.
Following the performance, Alpha Phi Alpha brother and Weinberg junior Cameron Dickerson introduced the keynote speaker, Warren M. Washington, an Alpha Phi Alpha life member himself. Washington is the second African-American to earn a doctorate in atmospheric sciences and a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
Starting off by commenting on King’s character, Washington spoke about how King’s influence spread beyond just civil rights.
“I want to make it clear that he didn’t just advance the cause of civil rights,” Washington said. “He was actually a spokesman for anyone who wasn’t sharing in the prize of the economy.”
Washington covered a variety of topics in his speech thereafter. He mentioned how he believed that King would support climate change activism if he were alive today and how global warming will affect the poor if it goes unchecked. Washington also addressed the importance of education in the continuing search for justice.
“All students need to interact with different races and religions,” Washington urged. “That’s what university is about.”
Washington closed by speaking about how attaining social justice is still an ongoing struggle.
“We owe a great deal to [King’s] accomplishments, but he wanted us to lead future battles,” Washington said.
After a performance by graduate student a capella group Catatonics and an offering to the Child Care Center of Evanston, Alpha Phi Alpha brother and sophomore Malik Dent read an excerpt from King’s “Strength to Love” speech. As the speech was read and the NCE began to sing “We Shall Overcome,” the congregation lit their candles in commemoration of King.
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars,” Dent said.
Chaplain Timothy Smith gave the benediction to the service and the congregation blew out their candles as the musical postlude played around them.
A reception took place in Parkes 122.