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While most snoozed peacefully Monday morning, hundreds of dedicated individuals gathered together for the ninth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast.
This year’s theme is: “Keeping the dream alive.” Associate Dean for Students Angel Loredo, who advises the Multicultural Program at the University of Maine, said this dream is still “a catalyst for change.”
Loredo explained how much Dr. King influenced the changing of education. He said that King’s messages were basic: they had simple purposes and simple goals.
“[His messages] were the next step for all people to have proper education, and excel in the best way possible, regardless of where you came from. He understood the importance of students and that everyone has the ability to be a leader,” Loredo said.
Loredo also said that without Dr. King’s message, the women’s and gay rights’ movements would never have gotten off the ground.
“[Diversity] isn’t necessarily about race,” said student Emily Albee, a junior with a double major in history and elementary education. She is involved with the Human Rights Coalition group on campus. Run by the president of the local chapter of the NAACP, James Varner, HRC’s meetings focus on specific issues involving discrimination of any kind, whether it is against the disabled, homosexuals or any other minority.
As MLK Jr. Day nears, the group is discussing issues to focus on. The most current issue may surprise you: Abolishing slavery.
“Slavery has been rampant in Sudan since the civil war began 20-plus years ago,” Albee said. “There are children being abducted. They tend to cattle and take care of farms. They are abused physically and emotionally. They are not treated as human.”
Albee also said she feels the war in Iraq would certainly elicit a response from the man for whom today is named.
“[King] would be on the front lines protesting Iraq.” Albee said. But she points out that he would see the broader range of human rights’ violation. The major difference is that he would stress the aspect of non-violence, she said.
As for the situation in Sudan, there are many Web sites, including www.iabolish.com, where you can participate in a two-minute writing campaign, Albee said.
“Don’t rely on the media and TV, do your own research,” she said.
Those wishing to become involved with diversity on campus should check out the ALANA Center, which houses a plethora of multicultural groups dedicated to student diversity. Dean Loredo also welcomes any student with questions to the Deans of Students’ office.
“We see everyone and everything,” he said.
Varner said that the most important thing to remember is that we are all humans.
“When we peel our skin off, we are exactly the same,” he said.
