The BYU Black Student Law Association (BLSA) hosted an event celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Thursday, January 14, 2016.
BYU undergrad Justin Tyree read, “Our God is Marching On,” by Dr. King. Following the speech a video titled, “King- A Brief Biography,” by David Chronister, was played.
The event concluded with words from Professor Jane Wise: “King said, ‘One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.’ Acting publicly, non-violently, to bring about change, with an expectation of punishment and doing it lovingly! Extraordinary, almost unbelievable, and the first reason Martin Luther King is a hero to me.
“The second reason King is a hero to me: he didn’t work out of an ivory tower. He welcomed contact—even when that contact was violent. But he didn’t shy away from what violent physical contact would bring. ‘We have only our bodies,’ King said, and in the end that was what brought the Civil Rights movement the victories it had been seeking for so long. He deliberately accepted jail, beatings, and other brutalities, because he believed a complacent nation would rally around his cause only when they saw the evil of racism manifest in these ugliest extremes By exposing this evil, King was attempting to provoke a national response of moral outrage. It did. And television was there recording the brutality and outrages committed on black bodies. His life was threatened, and he didn’t stand down.
“The third reason Dr. King is my hero is because of the divine dream he made his dream: that all people should be partakers of the divine gift of freedom. He didn’t draw any lines or make exceptions—it was freedom for everyone.”
To watch the video shown at the event click the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2IsUCee3w