Students encouraged to reflect on the life and legacy of MLK

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Director of Diversity Dr. Jennifer Pinkett-Smith responded to the question of what MLK Day means to her. She said, “It is a day to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices Dr. King made along with all those who were willing to believe in his vision. It is a day to be aware and not take for granted the work King and so many others put in for African Americans to have the opportunities they do today.”

Pinkett-Smith finds value in the rich history of Atlanta that the Wesleyan community is surrounded by. The King Center, Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Auburn Avenue are all places where the giants of the Civil Rights Movement stood, and places Wesleyan students can drive down to and reflect on the work that is still to this day being done.

Because of the day off of school, students have the ability to stop and reflect on the progress that has come since King, and the progress that still needs to be done. One way to honor King’s legacy, while also continuing on in his mission, is the MLK Day Sunday Supper on January 15. This event encourages families to sit around a dinner table, eat together, and talk about the reality of each other’s various backgrounds, races, cultures, and ethnicities. There is power in listening to the experiences of others in order to become better individuals and hopefully a better world as a whole.

Another way to immerse oneself in King’s way of life is through living how he did. King was inspired by the way Jesus lived, so he spent his time showing others acts of kindness and putting himself in their shoes. Hill added, “This is an egocentric society, so it is hard to think of others first. We have to intentionally pause, take a breath, marinate in what is learned, and ask how to be more understanding toward others.”

Pinkett-Smith encourages students to take a moment to learn about Dr. King’s six nonviolent principles. These pillars defined his life. They are inspired by Jesus Christ as well as Gandhi. The first principles is that principle says, “Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice,” and that God will eventually win, so justice will eventually come in time. These are not easy principles to live by, but they follow in suit with

“Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people,” which emphasizes that although not physically violent, people must be spiritually, mentally, and emotionally aggressive. The second states, “Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding,” ushering in the “beloved community.” The third principle says, “Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice or evil, not people,” which gives the viewpoint that those who inflict injustice are victims not evil themselves. The fourth says, “Nonviolence holds that unlearned, voluntary suffering for a just cause can educate and and transform people and societies,” meaning people must be willing to accept suffering without retaliation. The fifth states, “Nonviolence choses love instead of hate.” Finally, the sixth the way Jesus’ life turned the world upside down. King has made these six principles the pillars of his life, so in his legacy, people must continue to live by these principles of nonviolence, seeking freedom and justice for all.

MLK Day gives people the ability to pause and reflect on coming together as what King calls “the beloved community,” which is a “community where everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate.” This “beloved community” is what the nation is striving for, and what each individual should strive to be apart of. On this year’s MLK Day, reflect on the victories of the past while also looking forward to the future victories to come and the part each person must play in bringing that about.