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Renowned public intellectual Michael Eric Dyson delivered the keynote address at the 19th annual commemorative breakfast.
“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of the Dream” was the theme of the 19th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast Friday, Jan. 15, at Modesto A. Maidique Campus. FIU faculty/staff and students, as well as community leaders, came together in the Graham Center ballrooms to watch a video tribute to the civil rights leader and reflect upon where we are as a nation 40 years later.
In his welcome, President Mark B. Rosenberg asked for two moments of silence – the first to think about the great tragedy in Haiti and the second to show solidarity for the pain and suffering of those in our community who have been affected by the catastrophe.
“No one in Miami is without loss as a consequence of the tragic events in Haiti,” Rosenberg said. “Dr. King tells us life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’ Clearly by helping Haiti we honor Dr. King.”
Michael Eric Dyson, the event’s keynote speaker, served up a sobering reminder that Americans still have a long way to go to realize King’s dream of equality and justice for all.
In his speech, Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, argued that although the United States has made progress since the 1960s, much more needs to be done in terms of immigration, gender bias and gay rights to realize King’s dream.
“The American mainstream by 2050 is going to be a whole lot different,” said Dyson, who mixed sociology terms with rap lyrics while quoting King and Jay-Z in the same sentence. “America must adjust itself in recognition of this broad diversity of humanity.”
Master of ceremonies Marlon A. Hill, a founding partner with the law firm of delancyhill, P.A., and a social activist, presented three freshmen who won scholarships for their essays inspired by King. Bennett Bonta won a $500 scholarship; Susan Morales earned a $1,000 scholarship; and Carine Khouri earned top honors and a $2,000 scholarship.
This year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award, given to a faculty or staff member exemplifying King’s ideals, went to Felecia Townsend, director of Business Services.
In addition to a hot breakfast, attendees enjoyed musical performances by FIU students Darren Shillinford and Renata Thomas, who sang, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Alum Janeta Jackson opened the ceremony with a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Watch video highlights of the breakfast and Dyson’s speech:
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