A Reason to Act Up, Speak Up, and Show Up

The first week of classes is complete, and what could be a better way to celebrate than with a three-day weekend? The holiday gives us one more day to ski, go out with friends,  have late-night dance parties and study (of course).

Amongst the excitement of an extra “day off,” which is like gold to college students, it’s also important to take the time to reflect on what Martin Luther King Jr. Day symbolizes and the significance of this holiday amidst the racial inequality present in the U.S. today. Martin Luther King Jr., Ph.D., went down in history for his leadership in the civil rights movement, his selfless actions and his passion to create change in the face of hatred, violence and brutality. He did not stop when faced with adversity, and his powerful voice inspired many to speak up.

The holiday dedicated to MLK Jr. is about service, coming together and shining a light on how America continues to uphold institutional racism and white supremacy.

Now that the day has come and gone, I urge you to continue to think about what you can do, no matter the scale, to truly embody the ideals for which King gave his life fighting for. The pandemic may limit the number of marches, speeches and parades that can be attended, but we all know our society would benefit from one more person speaking up, fighting for justice or performing a seemingly simple, selfless action that could have a significant ripple effect. Racial justice has not yet been attained, and there are still marginalized groups experiencing oppression, injustice and hatred simply because of the color of their skin.

Yes, celebrate the extra day off from classes and work, but also be inspired by the day and its cause. Speak up, use your voice and learn from the actions of a man who paved the way for change, power and love.