Candlelight vigil sparks Dr. King's deeper messages

LIGHT A LIGHT: Participants hold their candles in the King vigil. / Photo by Brianna Mortensen

By Julie Garcia

January 19, 2006 | Dozens gathered Tuesday for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King in the Taggart Student Center.

A black and white picture of Dr. King graced the stage as members from the Black Student Union welcomed everyone from all walks of life.

The speakers addressed present racial issues that the world still faces today. The audience members had a chance to inquire about how racism, segregation, and prejudices have an effect on individuals in modern society. Some were enthusiastic to voice their own opinions on racial matters.

"This event serves both as a vigil and as an opportunity to take inventory of people's chronic racial experience. We collectively celebrate and address these things in hopes of improved outcome and a better tomorrow," Moises Diaz, Director of Multicultural Student Services said.

He said being colorblind is not the answer to overcoming racial matters. It is just as important to recognize our difference so that we can appreciate the diversity society has to offer, he said.

Members of the Black Student Union sang inspirational a cappella songs and encouraged the audience to sing along because of the powerful messages within the tunes.

Keynote Speaker Dr. William A. Smith discussed how some racial issues have an adverse effect on the health of society. He reminisced about stories of discrimination in his past and told stories about other people who have gone through similar experiences.

He said although we have come a long way, there is still much that needs to be done about the issues of race.

"Oftentimes we talk about Dr. King as if it's just a historical moment that we can contextualize, compartmentalize, put up on a shelf bring out every January or February and then put ‘em back up again," Smith said.

There is a powerful message behind who King was and what he stood for, he said.

To conclude the vigil, attendees lit their candles and a slide show about King was presented.

As tiny flames illuminated the room, the audience was left to reflect and ponder the dream of Dr. King as his old recorded voice echoed in the air.

"It was unique to see everyone uniting together and saying, 'We're here to support each other and the cause and help each other become better people'," Sarah Scott, a USU student said.

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