MLK Symposium Keynote Speech

In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the University of Michigan hosted its 34th annual MLK symposium. On this day off, students were encouraged to attend several events that both spread King’s legacy and touched on this year’s theme: The (Mis)Education of US. In his life as a prominent civil rights activist, not only did Martin Luther King fight for the rights of his fellow African Americans, but he also stood by other groups of people fighting their own fight for freedom. He showed his support for the Memphis sanitation workers and Native Americans. Following his assassination, he left behind a legacy challenging people to fight for freedom and let the diversity of the human race shine against all odds. In accordance with the theme chosen this year, we as students should consider the biases that have blinded us since childhood and work to re-educate ourselves.

A highlight of the MLK symposium was the keynote speech by Angela Davis, a well-known academic, author, and activist. Davis grew up in “Dynamite Hill”, Alabama, an area nicknamed for how often the Ku Klux Klan bombed African American homes. She is known for being a strong, black feminist, using her voice to challenge the prison system, issues of race, and more, all of which she openly discussed in her speech. Overwhelmed by constant cheering and applause, Davis was cut short of making all the points she was intending to, but still managed to end with a strong message for everyone to take home: 

“What we most need now is to generate hope. Hope that must be continued and regenerated and reinvigorated. And this, I think, is the collective challenge of today.” 
This hope is imperative to challenging the toxic, polarized environment of politics. This hope is needed to rise up from setbacks and reverse the wounds of the past by moving forward with an army of critical thinkers and problem solvers. But the social and political challenges surrounding racism, climate change, and women’s health don’t necessarily require immense feats. Reversing the “(Mis)education of US” is a collective effort that can have a ripple effect on many of the issues we face today. Exploring the social, economic, and environmental sources of problems like climate change, or being perceptive of perspectives that may be different than our own can be a much greater learning experience than what many degrees can offer. This hope that Davis advocates for extends into every facet of our lives, ranging from the drive to succeed to the wellbeing of every individual in such a difficult societal moment. We need to hold onto the hope that even the little things we do for each other will make a difference in the world around us, even if it only changes the world for one person. The growing movement to destigmatize mental health is a great example of how learning about and advocating for the millions of people who struggle to find hope in their own daily lives is a great place to start. By building up hope in one another, we will march into battle with an army of critical thinkers and problem-solvers ready to change the world. Empathy and the drive to abolish apathy intertwined with the fire of hope can make today’s generation undefeatable.