On Monday, the 18th of January, Purdue University North Central hosted the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. All of Northwest Indiana was invited for a complimentary breakfast and a series of diversity-inspired presentations.
Keynote speaker Monique Nunez had much to tell the crowd about her life and the things she has seen both in our community and in the southern state of Alabama.
“As I ponder this theme, ‘Speak and Live the Dream,’ my heart is heavy. When I look at the gang violence, when I see the black on black crime in my own neighborhood, I think that Martin Luther King would be vastly and very disappointed as far as how our nation has come. We have to take a stand, and stand up for what is right and against what’s wrong. We do not have the right to remain silent.”
Mrs. Nunez is the assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Programs at Valparaiso University. She will soon be taking a position in New York so it was important to the MLK Celebration Committee to have her speak. Since Dr. James Dworkin, Chancellor of PNC first opened PNC’s doors to the community in honor of Dr. King, they have had many inspiring guests. Nunez’s words brought the audience to tears on more than one occasion.
She was followed by a blues musician named Kevin Scott, and then an introduction of the newest piece in the Odyssey Arts Exhibit: a bench inspired by Rosa Parks. The colors of the sculpture, created by James Gallucci, represent the colors of the buses from the famous Montgomery Bus System boycott. Jody Jacobi, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Campus Relations, presented the bench.
“I urge you to come up and take a seat on this bench,” she said. “And I might add, sit anywhere you want!”
Some members of the crowd had actually marched with Dr. King Jr. Jannette Naegu, head of Concerned Residents for Syrian Refugees, and her husband George described it as an experience that changed their lives. Mrs. Naegu expressed how important it is to remind people of MLK’s words.
“In an environment where people are making statements on the airwaves that no Muslims can be allowed in our country, and others support that concept, clearly his message is not owned by all Americans,” Mrs. Naegu said.
Faye Moore, President of the La Porte County NAACP, said that, “It is always a worthy cause to get the word out about Martin Luther King Day. The main thing is to bring the community together: all races, all colors, all ethnicities.”
The sorority Apa Kapa Apa attended the event, and brought with them a booth for their winter clothing drive. They collected coats, gloves, and anything else children need for the season. Their president noted how pleased they were that PNC allowed them to.
“We need to get above ourselves,” said representative Angela Thomas, “And say, ‘Let me give you a hand, so you can give a hand to the next person.’”
There are plenty of ways to get involved. The NAACP accepts everyone, and asks that interested parties call them at their La Porte County office. We should all be Speaking and Living the Dream.