Distinguishing the man from mythology is a concern about famous political and theological leaders. Dr. King presented concerns in both arenas for a span of 13 years. On Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, a tribute was held to discuss the impact and particular vision of this one man’s ephemeral life, which can hardly be captured in any medium.
President Hahs quoted Dr. King in her opening statements, “Whatever affects one of us directly, affects all of us indirectly.” Learned presenters Hermene Hartman, Rev. Dr. Al Sampson, Rev. Dr. Gregory Seal Livingston, and Lewis Myers presided over the discussion panel. They disclosed the reality of Dr. King, allowing the legend to come alive, for many in the room, if only for a moment. The presenters shared experiences, and discussed the civil rights movement’s effect on Dr. King and his effect on the movement.
As the keynote speaker, Hermene Hartman wished to discuss “Who Dr. King was, what he did and his impact on history.” She expressed his ability to not only mobilize people, but to educate them about creating a movement. A movement starts from the bottom and goes to the top. The dedication and intellectual capability of individuals is the key to effecting change.
Rev. Sampson was one of three to be ordained by Dr. King. He discussed the ways in which his philosophy intersected with theology, and the ways in which they are now intertwined. “The movement was an intellectual exercise,” attests Sampson. Dr. King wanted his supporters to be well read, and to think critically about how to alter the state of United States politics. Sampson also discussed the seven institutions found in every culture and Dr. King’s unification of them in his practice and beliefs. [The seven institutions named by Rev. Sampson are: family, church, school, militarism, economy, government, and community.]
While Rev. Livingston was not part of the initial movement, he described in his powerful voice what being a beneficiary of civil rights activism, and what can be learned from the life of Dr. King. When faced with injustices, inequalities, and slanted policies, Livingston poses this question to students, “What do you do?” This question was embodied in the life of Dr. King.
Lewis Myers is an attorney at law and a professor who discussed the legal reasons behind the commencement of a civil rights movement. The discrepancies of the Constitution between what it said and what it did created an unrest that rose to a crescendo in life of Dr. King. The laws overturned and created during the period of time surrounding this one man’s life were a result of American citizens, particularly Americans of African descent, enforcing the law by using the rights they were promised but not given.
Hermene Hartman posed a question about what each panel member felt was the greatest moment in Dr. King’s life. Lewis Myers stated it simply, yet clearly, “His life was his greatest moment.” Myers also pointed out one of his personal favorites from Dr. King’s speeches: the Three Dimensions of Life speech, citing it as a profound interpretation of human experience and psyche.
A special moment occurred when one member of the NEIU community stood up and told the story of a young black police officer who was assigned as Dr. King’s bodyguard during his stay in Evanston. Gilo Kwesi Logan described the inspiration of Dr. King’s word in the life of this particular man, and his gradual ascent to become the first African American Chief of Police in Evanston. He disclosed that the officer was his father, and Mr. Logan attended NEIU to attain the education required to become the Chief of Police.
The morning concluded with a multimedia presentation of photos by John Tweedle of Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to Chicago, and also a performance by the NEIU Black Heritage Gospel Choir. This was truly a tribute worthy of a King.