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>> WE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE PROGRAM
AND ASK THAT YOU TAKE YOUR SEATS, PLEASE.
WE ARE READY TO BEGIN TONIGHT'S 27th ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING
COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM.
MY NAME IS EVA AGUIRRE COOPER,
COMMUNITY AFFAIR DIRECTOR AT WOOD TV8.
ONCE AGAIN, IT IS MY HONOR TO BE YOUR MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
THIS EVENING.
TONIGHT'S PROGRAM IS A CELEBRATION,
A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY
OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
WE WILL SING TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE
OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.
THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM THEME IS "INHERIT THE DREAM."
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR SPONSORS.
THEY HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT AND PUBLIC COMMITMENT
TO THIS EVENING'S COMMEMORATION OF DR. KING'S LEGACY.
YOU CAN SEE THEIR NAMES SCROLLING
ON THE SCREEN BEHIND ME.
AT THIS TIME NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME TO THE PODIUM
PASTOR DAN OGLESBY FROM LIVING WORLD CHRISTIAN CENTER.
PASTOR OGLESBY WILL OPEN THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
CELEBRATION WITH AN INVOCATION.
>> THANK YOU, EVA.
LET US ALL STAND, PLEASE.
"THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS
"IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
"BUT WHERE HE STANDS AT TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., THE HUSBAND, THE FATHER,
THE THEOLOGIAN, THE PASTOR, THE VISIONARY, THE TRAILBLAZER,
THE LEADER, AND THE DREAMER.
LET US PRAY.
GOD, OUR FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS HISTORICAL DAY,
FOR WE, YOUR PEOPLE, SHALL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT
LEST WE FORGET THE PRICE OF FREEDOM, THE CHANGE,
AND THE PRICE OF PROGRESS.
WE THANK YOU FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.,
YOUR SENT MESSENGER OF HOPE AND OF FREEDOM,
AND HOW YOU HAVE FAVORED US TO HAVE THIS UNIQUE PRIVILEGE
TO SHARE IN REAL TIME THE PROPHETIC MANIFESTATIONS
OF THIS GREAT AMERICAN DREAMER WHO GAVE US A DREAM,
DREAMS THAT GAVE US HOPE AND PURPOSE,
DREAMS THAT GIVE US THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE STATUS QUO
AND THE TRADITIONS OF BIGOTRY AND INJUSTICE,
DREAMS THAT APPEAL TO THE BEST IN US VERSUS THE WORST IN US,
DREAMS THAT GIVE LIGHT AND INTEGRITY
AS WE PURSUE A MORE PERFECT UNION.
IT IS THE DREAM BASED IN THE AMERICAN DREAM OF EQUALITY
AND FREEDOM THAT BRINGS US HERE.
SO GOD, TODAY, WE WILL CELEBRATE THIS MODERN-DAY MOSES
AS OUR DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE.
WE THANK YOU, GOD, FOR SENDING THIS DRUM MAJOR
WITH A HEARTBEAT FOR JUSTICE,
ONE WHOSE SYNCOPATED BEAT AND RHYTHM CAN BEST BE HEARD
IN THE FACE OF PAIN, HURT, POVERTY, WAR,
DEATH, EVIL, AND INEQUALITY.
LET THE DRUM BEAT ON FOR COMMON SENSE AND WISDOM FROM YOU, GOD,
THE ALMIGHTY ONE, TO ADDRESS THE INHUMANITY WE ARE EXPERIENCING
EVEN IN OUR NATION AND CITIES TODAY WITH THE GUN VIOLENCE
AND THE UNTIMELY DEATHS OF YOUNG AND OLD CITIZENS IN OUR CITIES
AND IN OUR COUNTRY.
FOR IN THE LEGACY OF JESUS, MOSES, AND GANDHI,
YOU NURTURED THIS GREAT MAN OF FAITH,
NOT TO REVISE HISTORY BUT TO BE A CHANGE AGENT
IN PURSUIT OF GOD'S BEST FOR ALL PEOPLE.
SO, GOD, WE COME TONIGHT TO THANK YOU
FOR THIS MODERN DAY MOSES
WHO CONTINUES TO BEAT HIS DRUM FOR OUR NATION,
THIS STATE, AND THIS CITY.
WE PRESENT OUR GUEST SPEAKER, JUDGE HATCHETT,
WHO IS GIFTED AND IN THAT LEGACY.
SO AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY,
TODAY, GOD, WE CELEBRATE HIM, AND WE CELEBRATE YOU.
WE COME TO YOU AS LIFE-GIVER AND SUSTAINER.
IT IS YOUR NAME THAT WE CONVENE THIS CELEBRATION
OF YOUR SERVANT.
AS WE BASK IN YOUR GRACE AND PROVIDENCE, WE INVOKE A SPIRIT
OF LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNITY.
WE CELEBRATE AND GIVE YOU THANKS IN THE BLESSED NAME
OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WE PRAY, AMEN, AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, PASTOR OGLESBY.
AND NOW, THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS
BY THE MICHIGAN ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM,
WHICH WILL FEATURE M.L.K. COMMUNITY DANCE PRESENTATION,
THEN THE *** NATIONAL ANTHEM
PERFORMED BY THE M.L.K. YOUTH CHOIR.
THE WORDS FOR THE *** NATIONAL ANTHEM ARE LOCATED
IN THE COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM
AND WILL ALSO BE SHOWN ON THE SCREEN.
(music)
>> (singing) ♪ OH SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪
♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪
♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAIL'D ♪
♪ AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING ♪
♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS ♪
♪ THRO' THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪
♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCH'D ♪
♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪
♪ AND THE ROCKETS' RED GLARE ♪
♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪
♪ GAVE PROOF THRO' THE NIGHT ♪
♪ THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪
♪ OH SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER ♪
♪ YET WAVE ♪
♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪
♪ AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪
(applause)
(music)
>> (all singing) ♪ LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING ♪
♪ TILL EARTH AND HEAVEN RING ♪
♪ RING WITH THE HARMONIES OF LIBERTY ♪
♪ LET OUR REJOICING RISE ♪
♪ HIGH AS THE LISTENING SKIES ♪
♪ LET IT RESOUND LOUD AS THE ROLLING SEA ♪
♪ SING A SONG ♪
♪ FULL OF THE FAITH THAT THE DARK PAST HAS TAUGHT US ♪
♪ SING A SONG ♪
♪ FULL OF THE HOPE THAT THE PRESENT HAS BROUGHT US ♪
♪ FACING THE RISING SUN ♪
♪ OF OUR NEW DAY BEGUN ♪
♪ LET US MARCH ON ♪
♪ TILL VICTORY IS WON ♪
(applause)
>> TONIGHT'S 27th ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION PROGRAM
WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COMMITTED PARTNERSHIP
AND DEDICATION TO THE ANNUAL PLANNING
AND LEADERSHIP GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY THE PARTNER INSTITUTIONS--
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, AND DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY.
REPRESENTING THE RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS,
WE WILL NOW HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF GRCC, DR. STEVEN ENDER,
THE PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
FROM GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. GAYLE DAVIS,
AND PRESIDENT OF DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY,
DR. RICHARD PAPPAS.
EACH PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM
AND DELIVER YOUR WELCOME MESSAGE FOR THE 27th ANNUAL PROGRAM.
>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
I AM PROUD TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO OUR CAMPUS AS WE HOLD
THE 27th COMMEMORATION
OF THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.
IT'S BEEN A DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR ME AND FOR THE COLLEGE,
STARTING EARLY THIS MORNING AT STEELCASE WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE
AND THEIR FINE PROGRAM,
AND THEN MOVING ON TO OUR FIELDHOUSE AT NOON TODAY
WHERE WE WELCOMED LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
AND CELEBRATED WITH THEM THE LEGACY OF DR. KING.
AND NOW, TO COME TONIGHT WITH YOU FOLKS
ON WHAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MISERABLE NIGHTS, WEATHER-WISE,
WE HAVE HAD FOR THIS CELEBRATION,
IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL WAY FOR ME PERSONALLY TO CAP OFF THE DAY
OF REFLECTION AND CELEBRATION.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SQUEEZED INTO THIS DAY,
SOMETHING HISTORIC HAPPENED IN OUR COUNTRY.
BARACK OBAMA WAS INAUGURATED FOR HIS SECOND TERM.
(applause)
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR POLITICS,
BUT WHEN I PUT THEM ASIDE, I SEE WITH OUR PRESIDENT
A MAN WHO IS COMPASSIONATE,
WHO TRULY DOES CARE ABOUT PEOPLE,
WHO TRULY UNDERSTANDS ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY,
AND IS WILLING TO TAKE GREAT RISKS AS A POLITICIAN
TO MOVE THIS COUNTRY FORWARD,
AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD OF THE PRESIDENT WE HAVE TODAY.
(applause)
SO I WOULD ASK ALL OF US TO REFLECT A BIT
ON WHERE WE HAVE COME...
AND PRESIDENT OBAMA IS A REFLECTION,
I THINK, OF WHERE THE COUNTRY HAS COME,
AND THEN LOOK AT OUR POLITICS
AND SEE HOW FAR WE HAVE TO GO.
AND IT'S UP TO ALL OF US TO BE PART OF A PROCESS
THAT CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN THIS COUNTRY AND THIS WORLD,
SO THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES
THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WELCOME TO OUR GREAT INSTITUTION.
GAYLE?
(applause)
>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO COME TONIGHT
TO REPRESENT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY AT THIS CELEBRATION.
IT IS AN AMAZING LEGACY WE CELEBRATE,
AND I AM REALLY PROUD TO BE HERE.
PRESIDENT HAAS HAS AN OBLIGATION OUT OF THE CITY TONIGHT,
SO HE SENDS HIS WARM REGARDS AND REALLY WISHES HE COULD BE HERE,
JUST BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT AN IMPORTANT EVENING THIS IS,
AND, AS PRESIDENT ENDER WAS SAYING,
WHAT AN IMPORTANT KIND OF DOUBLE DAY WE HAVE.
GRAND VALLEY HAS PARTNERED WITH GRCC, DAVENPORT,
MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS,
IN CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF DR. KING,
FEATURING NATIONAL SPEAKERS,
SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES, SERVICE.
THIS YEAR'S THEME AT GRAND VALLEY IS "SHAKE THE WORLD,
"EMPOWER THE DREAM," AND WE HOPE OUR STUDENTS AND FACULTY
ARE ALL DOING JUST THAT.
EVENTS ARE SCHEDULED OVER THIS ENTIRE WEEK.
I HEAR TOMORROW IS SUPPOSED TO BE EVEN COLDER,
IF YOU CAN IMAGINE, AND AT THE VERY END OF THE WEEK,
IT WILL ALL CULMINATE IN A DAY OF SERVICE.
EARLIER TODAY, WE HAD OUR TRADITIONAL BREAKFAST ON CAMPUS
AS PART OF THIS CELEBRATION,
AND WE DID HOLD OUR MARCH IN SPITE OF THE WEATHER.
IT WAS COLD.
HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, COMMUNITY MEMBERS
ATTENDED AND TOOK PART IN A WHOLE DAY OF CELEBRATORY EVENTS
AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS.
WE ALSO GOT TO ENJOY JUDGE GLENDA HATCHETT,
SO I HAD A PREVIEW TO KNOW THAT TONIGHT
WE ARE IN FOR A FABULOUS TREAT AGAIN.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, GRAND VALLEY, INSTEAD OF HOLDING A DAY ON--
IN OTHER WORDS, HOLDING CLASSES AND FOCUSING ACTIVITIES
ON MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S DAY
AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COUNTRY,
WE DECIDED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY NOT TO HOLD CLASSES,
SO STUDENTS AND FACULTY WERE ABLE TO ATTEND ALL THE EVENTS
THAT THEY COULD FIT INTO THEIR SCHEDULE OTHERWISE.
OUR CAMPUS WAS OPEN, BUT WE WERE ALL CELEBRATING
A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE ROUTINE TODAY,
AND IT WAS LOVELY.
IT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL.
(applause)
ALSO NEW THIS YEAR, GRAND VALLEY WILL BE PRESENTING ITS FIRST
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD,
MEANT TO HONOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR AN ORGANIZATION
THAT BEST PORTRAYS THE SPIRIT OF DR. KING'S TEACHINGS
AND EXAMPLES.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, BECAUSE SHE IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US TONIGHT,
MUCH OF THIS WORK TO IMPROVE OUR CELEBRATION
AND ENRICH OUR EXPERIENCES ON OUR CAMPUS
ARE THANKS TO DR. JEANNE ARNOLD,
OUR VICE PRESIDENT FOR INCLUSION AND EQUITY.
JEAN, WOULD YOU WAVE TO THE PEOPLE?
(laughing)
I'M SURE LOTS OF YOU KNOW HER ALREADY.
(applause) THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS AREA.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SOCIETY
HAVE HAD PROFOUND IMPACT ON ALL OF OUR CAMPUSES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
HAVE WORKED TO BUILD INCLUSIVE, VITAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
FOR OUR STUDENTS, FOLLOWING DR. KING,
WHO TAUGHT US TO APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE HISTORY, CULTURE,
AND IDEAS OF OTHERS.
IN FACT, AT GRAND VALLEY, WE HAVE ADOPTED A SLOGAN
THAT HANGS ON BANNERS ON DOORWAYS AND LIGHT POLES
ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY.
IT READS, "AN OPEN DOOR WHERE ALL VOICES ARE HEARD."
LET'S ALL KEEP UP THIS GOOD WORK OF DR. KING,
AND I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SAY HELLO TO YOU THIS EVENING.
THANKS.
(applause)
>> WELL, GOOD EVENING. >> (all) GOOD EVENING.
>> AND I KNOW IT IS COLD OUT THERE, BUT LET'S TRY IT AGAIN
BECAUSE WE ARE ALL HERE IN THE SPIRIT OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
GOOD EVENING! >> (all) GOOD EVENING!
>> THAT MAKES ME FEEL A LOT BETTER.
WE ARE EXCITED TO BE PARTNERING WITH GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AND GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY.
IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP OF TWO-YEAR, FOUR-YEAR,
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, AND IT SHOULD CONTINUE.
27th ANNUAL CELEBRATION.
WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LOVE ABOUT HIS TEACHINGS
IS HE TALKED ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE,
EACH PERSON-- ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
AND I HAVE BEEN A PRESIDENT FOR 24 YEARS,
AND MY VERY FIRST YEAR, I LEARNED THIS.
IT WAS IN MARYLAND, AND I REMEMBER I JUST KNEW
WHERE THE CAMPUS WAS.
AND I GOT ONTO THE CAMPUS
AND I WAS HEADING RIGHT FOR THE OFFICE.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING I KNEW.
AND I GOT STOPPED ALONG THE WAY BY AN ADULT FEMALE STUDENT
WHO SAID, "EXCUSE ME, DO YOU KNOW WHERE REGISTRATION IS?"
I SAID, "I'M SORRY, I DON'T."
AND SHE SAID, "DO YOU WORK HERE?"
(audience chuckling) I SAID, "YES, I DO."
AND SHE SAID, "WHAT DO YOU DO?"
I SAID, "I'M THE PRESIDENT." (audience laughing)
SHE SAID, "YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT
"AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE REGISTRATION IS?"
I SAID, "IT'S MY FIRST DAY, AND I'M GOING TO FIND OUT."
I WALKED HER OVER-- TRUE STORY--
I WALKED HER OVER TO WHERE REGISTRATION WAS.
I MUST HAVE SPENT FIVE MINUTES THERE, AND WISHED HER WELL.
AND ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER,
I GOT A FIVE-PAGE LETTER FROM HER-- TRUE STORY--
SAYING WHAT A DIFFERENCE I HAD MADE IN HER LIFE.
NOW, THE TRUTH WAS, I HAD ONLY SPENT FIVE MINUTES,
AND I DIDN'T THINK I HAD MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HER LIFE,
BUT SHE WENT ON TO SAY THAT SHE HAD THESE MAJOR GOALS,
AND IT TAUGHT ME THAT A GENTLE KINDNESS
CAN HAVE A LONG-LASTING IMPRESSION.
THAT IS WHAT DR. KING TALKED ABOUT SO MUCH.
I WAS SO HUMBLED BY THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THAT HIS TEACHINGS
TAUGHT ABOUT ADDRESSING OUR NATION'S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES--
POVERTY, ECONOMIC INSECURITY, JOB LOSS,
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WILL TELL YOU,
LACK OF ACCESS TO EDUCATION.
THE REASON I SAY THIS IS THAT WE KNOW
THAT GENERATION AFTER GENERATION,
WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT HAS PULLED PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY?
EDUCATION.
LET'S SAY IT TOGETHER.
IT IS NOT A TEST.
I HAVE GIVEN YOU THE ANSWER. (audience laughing)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT HAS PULLED PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY
GENERATION AFTER GENERATION?
IT IS? >> (all) EDUCATION.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST GROUPS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH.
WELL, I WANT YOU TO KNOW DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
IS COMMITTED TO INCLUSION AND RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUALS.
I AM EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE CREATED A BASELINE TRAINING
FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES,
AND THAT OVER 90 PERCENT OF ALL EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE STATE
NOT ONLY PARTICIPATED
BUT ENGAGED IN THIS KIND OF IMPORTANT WORK.
WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING THE SECOND STAGE,
WHICH IS A MORE SOPHISTICATED UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT CULTURES
AND HOW TO RESPECT, AND DEVELOPING SKILLS.
AND THIS YEAR, I AM VERY PROUD TO TELL YOU
THAT D.U. RECEIVED THE HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
IN DIVERSITY AWARD,
WHICH HONORS U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
THAT DEMONSTRATES AN OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
AND INCLUSION, AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
(applause)
OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DR. RHAE ANN BOOKER,
HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF REALLY LEADING THE WAY FOR US,
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY,
BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.
THE WORK IS NOT DONE.
HIS WORK IS NOT DONE.
SO WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY IN CONCLUSION
IS I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOU DOING WHAT YOU DO.
YOUR BEING HERE IS AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT
THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THIS
AND YOU CARE ABOUT THE DRIVING OF INCLUSION
AND DIVERSITY AND EQUITY FORWARD.
SO WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD TO BE A PARTNER.
WE WALKED TODAY IN BITTER COLD.
IT WAS THE LONGEST WALK OF MY CAREER.
(audience laughing)
BUT I THANK YOU SO MUCH AND, AGAIN,
WE ARE PLEASED TO BE PARTNERS.
(applause)
>> THANK YOU.
AND NOW, TO GET US GOING WITH SOME MUSIC FOOD FOR THE SOUL,
WE WILL NOW HAVE THE M.L.K. YOUTH CHOIR PERFORM FOR US,
WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VIDEO PRESENTATION
HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF OUR PAST HISTORY.
>> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS DUANIA ENGLISH.
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 30th YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY.
AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU ARE HERE? >> (all) YES.
(applause)
>> I KNOW I AM.
THE NATIONAL THEME IS "MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY."
UNITY IS POWER.
ALONE, WE CAN DO SO LITTLE.
TOGETHER, WE CAN DO SO MUCH.
(applause)
AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING!
IF WE DON'T WORK TOGETHER, IT'S OVER.
(audience laughing)
MY NAME IS DUANIA ENGLISH, AND I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE.
(applause)
>> TO DR. STEVE ENDER,
PRESIDENT OF GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
MRS. CHRISTINA ARNOLD, CO-CHAIR,
DR. THOMAS HAAS, PRESIDENT OF GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY,
MR. BOBBY SPRINGER, CO-CHAIR,
DR. RICHARD PAPPAS, PRESIDENT OF DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY,
DR. RHAE ANN BOOKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY,
EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
THE 2013 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION STUDENT CHOIR
IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MISS RHONDA CLARK
AND MISS VERONICA WILLIAMS.
>> THE 2013 MARTIN LUTHER KING STUDENT CHOIR
WILL SING TWO SELECTIONS.
THE FIRST SELECTION IS "HE'S ALIVE,"
AND THE SECOND SELECTION
IS "WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER, WHAT A TIME."
(music)
>> (choir singing) ♪ HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ JESUS IS ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S STILL ALIVE LIVE LIVE LIVE ♪
♪ HOW YOU SAY I KNOW HE'S STILL ALIVE ♪
♪ HE HUNG HIS HEAD AND BLED AND DIED ♪
♪ THEN HE ROSE ON THE THIRD DAY ♪
♪ (indistinct singing) ♪
♪ HE ROSE WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS ♪
♪ I KNOW HE'S STILL ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN FEEL HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ MOVING THROUGH ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN FEEL HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ MOVING THROUGH ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN FEEL HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ MOVING THROUGH ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN FEEL HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ MOVING THROUGH ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN HEAR HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ TALKING TO ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN HEAR HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ TALKING TO ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN HEAR HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ TALKING TO ME ALIVE ♪
♪ I CAN HEAR HIM ALIVE ♪
♪ TALKING TO ME ALIVE ♪
♪ HE'S ALIVE YES HE IS ♪
♪ I TELL YOU HE'S ALIVE YES HE IS ♪
♪ I TELL HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ YES HE IS ♪
♪ I TELL YOU HE'S ALIVE YES HE IS ♪
♪ DO YOU BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ DO YOU BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ DO YOU BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ DO YOU BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ WE BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ WE BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ DO YOU BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ DO YOU BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE ♪
♪ JESUS IS ♪
(applause)
(music)
(music)
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN ♪
♪ GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
>> (soloist) ♪ WHEN GOD'S CHILDREN ♪
♪ GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE WILL BE REJOICING FOREVER MORE ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME ♪
>> (choir singing) ♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN ♪
♪ GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
>> (soloist) ♪ WHEN GOD'S CHILDREN ♪
♪ GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'LL BE REJOICING FOREVER MORE ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME ♪
>> (choir singing) ♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN ♪
♪ GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
(clapping) (music)
>> COME ON, EVERYBODY, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER!
ARE WE HAVING A GOOD TIME TONIGHT?
ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME TONIGHT?
(music)
>> (choir singing) ♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ YEAH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ YEAH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ YEAH ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GET TOGETHER ♪
♪ WHAT A TIME WHAT A TIME ♪
♪ OH WHAT A TIME ♪
(applause)
(music)
(music)
(applause)
(music)
>> (singing) ♪ LAST NIGHT I HAD A DREAM ♪
♪ I FOUND A HOME THAT WAS SO BRIGHT ♪
>> IN THIS DREAM, WE VOICE OPPOSITION TO ALL FORMS
OF BIGOTRY, INCLUDING RACISM, SEXISM, AND CLASSISM.
ONE DAY ALL OF OUR CHILDREN WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR
OF THEIR SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.
>> (singing) ♪ KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE ♪
♪ DON'T BE DISMAYED ♪
>> MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS NOT ONLY A PATRIARCH
IN HIS OWN FAMILY,
HE WAS A PATRIARCH FOR THE WORLD COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS A MAN WHO GOD BLESSED AND TOUCHED
AND GAVE HIM THE VOICE, GAVE HIM THE VOCABULARY,
GAVE HIM THE CHARISMA,
GAVE HIM THE PASSION AND THE VISION TO STAND UP AND SAY,
"THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE."
>> IT WAS, IN FACT, THE AFRICAN PHILOSOPHER WHO DECLARED
THAT THERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT DAYS
IN THE LIFE OF ANY HUMAN BEING.
THE FIRST DAY IS THE DAY THAT YOU WERE BORN.
THE SECOND DAY IS THE DAY THAT YOU DISCOVER WHY YOU WERE BORN.
>> THERE WAS A LOT OF BLOOD THAT GOT US HERE WHERE WE ARE NOW,
BECAUSE 30 OR 40 YEARS AGO, WHEN THIS THING GOT STARTED,
WE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN HERE SITTING
LIKE WE ARE SITTING IN THIS HOUSE TONIGHT!
>> SO WE ARE, AS THE GREAT POET LAUREATE OF ILLINOIS TAUGHT US--
GWENDOLYN BROOKS-- WE ARE EACH OTHERS' KEEPER.
WE ARE EACH OTHERS' HARVEST.
WE ARE EACH OTHERS' MAGNITUDE AND BOND.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
>> UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL MUST TURN THAT MIRROR AROUND
AND DETERMINE WHAT ROLE WE PLAY IN THIS GAME
TO MAKE OURSELVES BETTER, BECAUSE HERE IS THE REALITY--
WE ARE, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, TIED TO EACH OTHER.
>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT DREAM,
TO HAVE THAT THING THAT PUSHES YOU ON FREQUENTLY
WHEN THE ROAD GETS TOUGH.
AND SOMETIMES, THAT IS THE ONLY THING
THAT WILL PULL YOU THROUGH.
>> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE VICTORIES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT,
WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE ARE OUR VICTORIES
AND WE CAN SHAPE OUR OWN PHILOSOPHIES
IF WE ACT TOGETHER IN PURSUIT OF JUSTICE.
>> WE HAVE ALL THESE CHILDREN WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
HOW CAN THEY APPRECIATE THE POWER OF EDUCATION
IF THEY THINK IT COMES WITH NO COST?
>> AND YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN MODERN AMERICA.
IF WE TRULY ARE TO SAY THAT WE ARE A COUNTRY
WHERE WE UNDERSTAND THE HOPE THE DARK PAST HAS TAUGHT US.
>> AMERICANS OF ALL COLORS-- WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS,
SO IF I CLOSE MY EYES IN 1960
AND THEN OPENED THEM HERE IN 2010,
I MIGHT ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT WHAT I SEE
ARE THE SIGNS OF FULL INCLUSION.
BUT I ASK THE QUESTION, "IS IT AN ILLUSION?"
>> IF YOU DO NOTHING, NOTHING CHANGES,
FOR OURSELVES OR THE GENERATIONS THAT COME AFTER US,
AND IF WE DON'T KNOW THAT WE, IN THIS ROOM,
WERE THE ONES WHO DID IT,
WE WON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN DO IT AGAIN,
AND THAT'S WHEN THE OTHER SIDE WINS.
>> YOU BEGIN WITH THE PROTEST,
BUT YOU HAVE TO MOVE ON FROM THERE.
OUT OF PROTEST, YOU HAVE TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER STAGE.
WE ARE AT ONE OF THOSE TURNING POINTS IN HISTORY
WHERE WE NEED REVOLUTION,
AND REVOLUTION MEANS REINVENTING OUR CULTURE.
>> (singing) ♪ EVERYTHING ♪
♪ IS GONNA BE ALL RIGHT ♪
(applause)
>> WHAT A HISTORY, HUH?
AND TO CONTINUE IN OUR TRADITION, AT THIS TIME,
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME MR. RODNEY MARTIN,
DIVERSITY PARTNER FOR WARNER, NORCROSS & JUDD,
AND MR. DAIJON MILLER FROM RIVERSIDE MIDDLE.
MR. RODNEY MARTIN REPRESENTS OUR SPONSOR,
WARNER, NORCROSS & JUDD.
EACH YEAR, WARNER HOLDS AN ESSAY CONTEST
WITH THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
MR. MARTIN IS HERE TO INTRODUCE THIS YEAR'S WINNING ESSAY CONTEST,
WHO WILL THEN READ HIS WINNING ESSAY.
(applause)
>> THANK YOU, EVA.
THANK YOU.
IT IS A REAL PLEASURE TO BE HERE AGAIN WITH YOU THIS EVENING.
IT IS OUR HONOR EVERY YEAR, FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS,
TO CONDUCT AN ESSAY CONTEST FOR THE SIXTH GRADERS
IN THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR US IN THE LAW FIRM.
IT TAKES US BACK AND IT TEACHES A LOT.
THIS YEAR, WE HAD OVER 250 ESSAYS
SUBMITTED BY SIXTH GRADERS,
AND THEY WERE READ BY OVER 40 ATTORNEYS AND STAFF MEMBERS
OF OUR FIRM.
EVERY ESSAY MUST HAVE BEEN READ AT LEAST TEN TIMES.
SO THESE YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE HAD A BIG IMPACT ON US.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS YEAR, THE ESSAYS WERE BETTER
THAN ANY YEAR BEFORE,
AND THAT IS A TRUTHFUL STATEMENT.
IT'S BEEN COMING-- I'VE BEEN HEARING THAT
FROM EVERYBODY IN THE FIRM.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAVE GREAT EXCITEMENT
IN INTRODUCING TONIGHT'S WINNER TO YOU.
BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE,
IF THEY ARE IN THE AUDIENCE--
WE HAD 21 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS
THIS YEAR.
AND IF YOU ARE A RECIPIENT OF AN HONORABLE MENTION AWARD,
COULD YOU STAND UP, PLEASE?
(applause)
THANK YOU.
WE AWARDED THE SECOND RUNNER-UP AND A FIRST RUNNER-UP,
AND NEITHER OF THEM COULD BE HERE THIS EVENING,
BUT I DO WANT TO READ THEIR NAMES AND RECOGNIZE THEM.
THE SECOND RUNNER-UP WAS RASHON ADAMS
FROM ALGER MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THE FIRST RUNNER-UP WAS TYEVON WILLIAMS
FROM RIVERSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
BUT TONIGHT, I WILL INTRODUCE TO YOU DAIJON MILLER,
WHO IS FROM RIVERSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL,
AND I KNOW THIS BEING A VERY ENLIGHTENED CITIZENRY,
YOU ALL READ "THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS" YESTERDAY,
BUT IN CASE YOU DIDN'T, I BROUGHT A COPY
OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE WITH ME...
BECAUSE THIS YEAR'S WINNER'S EDITORIAL
WAS THE GUEST OPINION EDITOR ON THE EDITORIAL PAGE,
THE OPINION PAGE, OF "THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS."
HOW COOL IS THAT, HUH?
(applause)
THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY DID THAT,
AND I THINK THAT IS BECAUSE OUR SPEAKER TONIGHT,
OUR YOUNG MAN DAIJON MILLER,
HAS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL TO SAY TO US.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU DAIJON MILLER.
(applause)
>> DR. KING WAS A HERO AND A ROLE MODEL TO ME
ALMOST MY WHOLE LIFE.
I RESPECT THAT DURING HIS LIFE, HE WAS ASSAULTED
AND DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING BACK.
HE WAS BEATEN, STABBED, AND JAILED AROUND 30 TIMES
AND NEVER THOUGHT OF SUING OR HITTING ANYONE.
IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ME, I WOULD DO ANYTHING I COULD
TO GET BACK AT THEM.
I GUESS NON-VIOLENCE IS ONE OF THE MANY TRAITS
IT TAKES TO BE A HERO.
HEROES ALSO NEED TO BE HELPFUL, HAVE GREAT IDEAS,
AND THEY NEED TO PUT OTHERS BEFORE THEMSELVES.
MY PERSONAL ROLE MODEL IS MR. COOK,
MY FOURTH GRADE TEACHER.
HE WAS A VERY NICE MAN AND A GOOD TEACHER, TOO.
HE INSPIRED ME TO DO A PROGRAM TO HELP OTHER STUDENTS.
I HAD LOTS OF FUN DOING IT,
AND I LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF ALONG THE WAY.
DURING SCHOOL TIME, HE PAIRED ME UP WITH STRUGGLING STUDENTS
WHO NEEDED HELP WITH MATH.
I UNDERSTAND MATH PRETTY WELL, SO I COULD HELP THEM
WITH THEIR HOMEWORK AND CLASS ASSIGNMENTS.
I ALSO HELPED THEM DURING ELECTIVES AND AFTER SCHOOL.
HE TAUGHT ME MORE THAN JUST SCHOOL SUBJECTS.
HE TAUGHT ALL OF US THE WAY WE TREAT OTHERS
IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE LEARN IN BOOKS.
ONE OF THE STRATEGIES HE TAUGHT ME ON HOW TO CONTROL MY ANGER
WAS THAT WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO FIGHT ME,
I SHOULD CLOSE MY EYES AND COUNT TO THREE.
WHEN I OPENED MY EYES, I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CALM ENOUGH
TO SAY, "I WON'T FIGHT."
THE FIRST TIME I TRIED THAT, I GOT PUNCHED IN THE STOMACH.
(audience laughing)
ON THE FLIP SIDE, THE KID TRYING TO FIGHT ME GOT SUSPENDED,
AND I GOT TO STAY IN SCHOOL.
IT TURNED OUT MR. COOK'S TRICK DID SOME GOOD
SINCE I DIDN'T GET IN ANY TROUBLE AT ALL.
THE SAD THING IS THAT MY HERO IS NO LONGER HERE.
MR. COOK PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR.
WHEN I HEARD THAT, IT MADE ME WANT TO HONOR HIS MEMORY
AND BE A BETTER PERSON.
NOW, I TRY TO REMEMBER WHAT MR. COOK TAUGHT ME
AND CONTROL MY ANGER EVEN MORE.
I HAVEN'T FOUGHT ANYBODY SINCE FOURTH GRADE.
HE TAUGHT ME LOTS OF STUFF,
BUT THAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING-- TO CONTROL MY ANGER.
HEROES ARE AGAINST VIOLENCE.
HEROES MAKE GREAT LEADERS AND TEACHERS,
AND HEROES ALWAYS FIND THEMSELVES
IN THE ROLE OF HELPING OTHERS.
I GUESS BOTH DR. KING HAVE THE QUALITIES
THAT MAKE GREAT HEROES.
THERE ARE LOTS OF ROLE MODELS IN THE WORLD,
AND I AM HAPPY TO HAVE KNOWN MR. COOK
AS ONE OF THOSE MANY GREAT ROLE MODELS.
(applause, cheering)
>> GOOD JOB, DAIJON MILLER.
YOU KNOW, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW HIM TODAY.
(applause)
HE DID A GOOD JOB-- A GREAT JOB,
NOT ONLY WRITING A GREAT ESSAY
BUT HE DID A GOOD JOB WITH A CAMERA
AND A MICROPHONE IN HIS FACE.
YOU HAVE A FUTURE THERE, YOUNG MAN.
GOOD JOB.
WE WILL NOW SEE A BRIEF VIDEO
OF SOME OF THE PAST M.L.K. SCHOLARSHIPS.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MISS CHRIS ARNOLD OF GRCC,
MR. BOBBY SPRINGER OF GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY,
AND DR. RHAE ANN BOOKER OF DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY,
WHO WILL PRESENT THE 2013-2014 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS.
(music)
>> MY DAD CAME HERE FROM MEXICO.
THEN MY MOM CAME AFTERWARDS.
I CAME HERE WHEN I WAS TWO.
THEY BASICALLY WANTED JUST A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
BOTH MY PARENTS DIDN'T GO TO HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY DIDN'T EVEN FINISH MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND I AM THE FIRST ONE ACTUALLY GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL
AND GOING TO COLLEGE, SO THEY ARE REALLY PROUD OF ME.
AND ME WINNING THE SCHOLARSHIP-- THEY WERE REALLY PROUD AS WELL.
(music)
>> MY PARENTS ARE SUPPORTIVE.
MY PARENTS ARE PRETTY MUCH THE ONES THAT INTRODUCED US
TO THE SCHOLARSHIP-- TOLD US ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP.
MY DAD TELLS ME HOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO GO TO COLLEGE,
AND MY MOM WAS PRETTY MUCH "COLLEGE" FROM DAY ONE,
BECAUSE HOW THE ECONOMY IS,
SHE JUST BASICALLY KEPT TELLING US THAT
"IF YOU DON'T HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE
"IN THIS WORLD, YOU DON'T WORK."
IT WAS PRETTY MUCH GO TO COLLEGE OR STILL LIVE WITH HER, SO...
(music)
>> MY FAMILY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY
THAT WAS NEEDED FOR COLLEGE.
SO WHEN THEY NOTICED IT WAS A LOT, THEY WERE LIKE--
IT WAS REALLY HELPFUL FOR THEM.
IT WAS LIKE A HEAD START WITHOUT THEM PAYING ANYTHING,
AND NOW, WE ARE ACTUALLY SAVING MONEY FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER,
SO IT HELPS ME A LOT.
>> WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT I RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP...
IT PRETTY MUCH MEANT TO ME,
FOR MY FAMILY, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PRETTY MUCH TAKE MONEY
OUT OF OUR HOME.
WHEN MY PARENTS TOLD ME, "YEAH, COLLEGE IS VERY EXPENSIVE,"
SO RIGHT THEN, I JUST THOUGHT,
"I AM GOING TO NEED ALL THE MONEY I CAN GET,"
SO THE SCHOLARSHIP HELPED A LOT.
(music)
>> I AM ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW DOING ACCOUNTING
AND I AM GOING TOWARD BUSINESS AS WELL.
MY PARENTS OWN A SMALL RESTAURANT.
I WANT TO HELP THEM GROW THEIR BUSINESS.
I WANT TO HELP MY FAMILY LIKE THEY HELPED ME.
>> MY MAJOR IS NURSING.
AND I PLAN ON GOING TO PROBABLY FERRIS,
TRANSFER TO FERRIS AND HOPEFULLY GET MY R.N.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE M.L.K. COMMITTEE
FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO GO INTO COLLEGE
AND BEING MORE SUCCESSFULLY.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE M.L.K. COMMITTEE
FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE
AND BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.
(applause)
>> GOOD EVENING.
AS PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID EARLIER TODAY,
AMERICA'S POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS,
FOR WE POSSESS ALL THE QUALITIES
THAT THIS WORLD WITHOUT BOUNDARIES DEMANDS--
YOUTH AND DRIVE, DIVERSITY, AND OPENNESS,
AN ENDLESS CAPACITY FOR RISK
AND A GIFT FOR REINVENTION.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE MUST DO THESE THINGS TOGETHER
AS ONE NATION AND ONE PEOPLE.
THE MARTIN LUTHER KING "INHERIT THE DREAM" SCHOLARSHIPS
WE AWARD ANNUALLY ARE IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH AND DIVERSITY
AND IN RECOGNITION OF OUR SHARED DESTINIES.
SINCE 1990, THE M.L. KING SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
HAS AWARDED OVER 36 SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS
PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AT GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, AND DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY.
THIS EVENING, I AM PLEASED TO PRESENT
THE 2013-2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS FOR GRCC.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THE WEATHER MAY HAVE HELD THEM UP,
BUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
WE HAVE VANESSA MAZARIEGOS, AND SHE IS A STUDENT AT UNION
AND WILL BE ATTENDING GRCC IN THE FALL,
AND SHE WILL BE GOING INTO THE NURSING PROGRAM.
AND MARIA TRUJILLO.
MARIA IS A STUDENT AT OTTAWA,
AND SHE WILL BE PURSUING ACCOUNTING.
(applause)
>> I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING UP THE TWO STUDENTS
WHO WILL BE ATTENDING GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY,
BUT BEFORE I BRING THEM UP, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU
THAT BOTH STUDENTS WILL BE THE FIRST TO GO TO COLLEGE
IN THEIR FAMILIES.
WE HEARD EARLIER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.
MYSELF, I AM THE FIRST ONE TO GO TO COLLEGE IN MY FAMILY.
ONE OF THE STUDENTS HAD THIS TO SAY IN THEIR ESSAY--
"MY PARENTS HAVE NOT LET ME DOWN."
I WANT TO SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.
"MY PARENTS HAVE NOT LET ME DOWN,
"SO I WILL NOT LET THEM DOWN, AND THAT'S A PROMISE."
(applause)
I AM GOING TO LET THEM COME UP
AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AT THIS TIME.
>> HELLO. >> (all) HELLO.
>> MY NAME IS DEJAH-NICOLE O'NEAL.
AND I WILL BE STUDYING IN PRE-MEDICINE
AT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY.
SO THEY WERE LIKE-- THEY WANTED ME TO SAY WHY I AM THANKFUL
OR WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY
THAT IS HERE TODAY.
THEY ARE HERE TO SUPPORT ME.
THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO SUPPORT ME,
AND I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
SO I SAY THANK YOU TO ALL MY FAMILY THAT IS HERE TODAY
TO SUPPORT ME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
(applause)
>> HI. >> (all) HI.
>> MY NAME IS PERLA BENAVIDES,
AND I WOULD LIKE TO STUDY STENOGRAPHY
AT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY COUNSELOR, MR. WHITE,
FOR OPENING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP THAT I WON,
EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO--
I AM KIND OF LAZY WHEN IT COMES TO ESSAYS.
SO HE REALLY PUSHED ME TO WRITE THIS ESSAY,
SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR THAT.
AND MY MOM, FOR BEING HERE TODAY,
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU,
AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS PUSHING ME IN EDUCATION
TO DO MY BEST.
THANK YOU.
(applause)
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
>> (all) GOOD EVENING.
>> AT DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY, WE FEEL HONORED TO SERVE
A STRONG DIVERSE TRADITIONAL-AGE STUDENT POPULATION
AND ADULT LEARNERS,
BOTH OF WHICH ENRICH OUR ACADEMIC COMMUNITY,
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING
HOW BOTH OF OUR DISTINGUISHED RECIPIENTS
WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT OUR UNIVERSITY
THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP.
>> HI. >> (all) HI.
>> MY NAME IS ADETUNJI IFATUROTI,
BUT MY NICKNAME IS ALSO T.J.
OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, I WILL BE AT DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
STUDYING SPORTS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.
AND FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD
FOR MAKING ALL THIS POSSIBLE.
(applause)
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY FAMILY, MR. CARL WARFIELD,
AND COACH (indistinct) FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT TOWARDS ME.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANKS TO THE M.L.K.
AND DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE
FOR LETTING ME INHERIT A DREAM.
THANK YOU.
(applause)
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS SHANTELLE PALMER-FREEMAN,
AND I AM STUDYING GENERAL BUSINESS AT DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY,
THE LIVONIA CAMPUS.
AND I AM REPRESENTING ALL ADULT STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO BACK.
IT IS NEVER, EVER TOO LATE.
(applause, cheering)
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY HUSBAND AND MY MOTHER
FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
THANK YOU ALL.
(applause)
>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TONIGHT,
SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN YOUR PROGRAM.
BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HONOR AND THANK
SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM FOR MANY YEARS.
I THINK IT'S HER TENTH YEAR.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK MISS EVA AGUIRRE COOPER.
>> WHAT? (audience laughing)
>> SEE, THAT WASN'T IN YOUR SCRIPT.
(applause)
BUT ON BEHALF OF THE M.L. KING PLANNING TEAM,
WE WOULD LIKE THE THANK HER,
NOT ONLY FOR BEING HERE AND SUPPORTING THE M.L. KING PROGRAM
BUT FOR ALL THE ADVOCACY WORK THAT SHE DOES
THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THANK YOU, EVA.
>> OH, THANK YOU. (applause)
>> SHE ALSO GETS TO TAKE THESE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS
FROM EASTERN FLORAL HOME WITH HER, TOO.
(applause)
>> OH, THANK YOU. >> I'LL KEEP THEM UNDER HERE.
>> JUST LIKE LIVE TV.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, HUH?
WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR.
IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS PART OF MY TRADITION, TOO,
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR.
IT IS A CELEBRATION WHEN YOU ARE HERE.
DO YOU GUYS FEEL IT?
ESPECIALLY WITH THE MUSIC AND MESSAGES AND SPEAKERS?
IT JUST KIND OF REMINDS YOU WHAT TODAY IS ALL ABOUT.
SO THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THAT WITH YOU, TOO.
CHRIS, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU KEPT THAT FROM ME, EITHER.
ALL RIGHT, AND HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT MORE OF THAT FOOD FOR OUR SOUL,
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER MUSIC SELECTION
FROM OUR TALENTED M.L.K. COMMUNITY CHOIR
AND DANCE PRESENTATION.
(applause)
>> AMEN, HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY-- TONIGHT?
GOOD-- WE'RE GONNA JUST--
DR. KING WAS A PREACHER,
SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CHURCH,
IF YOU DON'T MIND. (audience laughing)
(music)
>> (choir singing) ♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ FOR I KNOW THAT I CAN CALL YOU ♪
♪ AND I KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE THERE ♪
♪ YOU'RE THE SOURCE OF ALL CREATION ♪
♪ AND I GIVE YOU THANKS TODAY ♪
♪ OOH ♪
♪ WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ WAY MAKER ♪
♪ COUNTING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ FOR I KNOW THAT I CAN CALL YOU ♪
♪ AND I KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE THERE ♪
♪ YOU'RE THE SOURCE OF ALL CREATION ♪
♪ AND I GIVE YOU THANKS TODAY ♪
♪ OOH ♪
>> (soloist) ♪ YOU ARE A ROCK ♪
♪ IN THE WEARY LAND ♪
♪ SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM ♪
♪ I CAN CALL WHEN I NEED YOU ♪
♪ BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WILL BE RIGHT THERE ♪
♪ I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT HIM ♪
♪ BECAUSE I KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HIM ♪
♪ HE IS ABLE HE IS ABLE ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY HE'S A WAY ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY ♪
>> (choir singing) ♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ FOR I KNOW THAT I CAN CALL YOU ♪
♪ AND I KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE THERE ♪
♪ YOU'RE THE SOURCE OF ALL CREATION ♪
♪ AND I GIVE YOU THANKS TODAY ♪
♪ OOH ♪
>> (soloist) ♪ HE IS A ROCK ♪
♪ IN THE WEARY LAND ♪
♪ SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM ♪
♪ I CAN CALL HIM WHEN I NEED HIM ♪
♪ BECAUSE I KNOW HE'LL BE RIGHT THERE ♪
♪ I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT HIM ♪
♪ BECAUSE I KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HIM ♪
♪ HE IS ABLE HE IS ABLE ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY HE'S A WAY ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY ♪
>> (choir singing) ♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ WAY MAKER ♪
♪ CALLING ON YOU RIGHT NOW ♪
♪ FOR I KNOW THAT I CAN CALL YOU ♪
♪ AND I KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE THERE ♪
♪ YOU'RE THE SOURCE OF ALL CREATION ♪
♪ AND I GIVE YOU THANKS TODAY ♪
♪ OOH ♪
>> (soloist) ♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ IF HE'S EVER DONE ANYTHING FOR YOU ♪
♪ YOU CAN PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A BURDEN CARRIER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A HEAVY LOAD SHARER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY OUT OF NOWHERE HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR YOU ♪
♪ DID HE BRING YOU OUT YES ♪
♪ WITHOUT ONE DOUBT YES ♪
♪ DID HE SAVE YOUR SOUL YES ♪
♪ DID HE MAKE YOU WHOLE YES ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HOW DO YOU KNOW HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR YOU ♪
♪ DID HE BRING YOU OUT YES ♪
♪ WITHOUT A DOUBT YES ♪
♪ DID HE SAVE YOUR SOUL YES ♪
♪ DID HE MAKE YOU WHOLE YES ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'LL MAKE WAYS FOR YOU HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'LL MAKE WAYS FOR ME HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
♪ WAY MAKER WAY MAKER ♪
♪ WAY MAKER WAY MAKER ♪
♪ WAY MAKER HE'S A WAY MAKER ♪
(applause)
>> HE'S A WAY MAKER. >> YES, HE IS!
(piano music)
>> RICHARD M. NIXON SAID-- QUOTED THIS QUOTE.
HE SAID, "IN ORDER TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC,
"YOU NEED TO PLAY THE BLACK AND WHITE KEYS ALL TOGETHER."
WITH THAT BEING SAID...
I ASK THAT WE BECOME SO GIFTED AND SO TALENTED IN WHAT WE DO
THAT WE DON'T THINK OF IT AS A JOB,
BUT WE ACTUALLY BECOME WHAT IT IS THAT WE ARE DOING.
AND WHEN WE BECOME THAT, WE ARE NO LONGER IN CHARGE.
GOD IS THEN LEADING US AND USING US AS THE INSTRUMENTS,
AND WE ARE NO NOTHING BUT A SONG AND A MELODY IN A SYMPHONY.
>> (a few women) YES, YES!
>> SO TONIGHT, WE WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU, "I AM YOUR SONG."
(music)
>> (choir singing) ♪ SING THROUGH ME LORD ♪
♪ SING THROUGH ME ♪
♪ YOUR HEART ♪
♪ YOUR SIMPLE MELODY ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE ♪
♪ YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
♪ LORD SING THROUGH ME ♪
♪ YOUR HEART ♪
♪ YOUR SIMPLE MELODY ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
♪ SING THROUGH ME LORD ♪
♪ SING THROUGH ME ♪
♪ YOUR HEART ♪
♪ YOUR SIMPLE MELODY ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE ♪
♪ YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
♪ LORD SING THROUGH ME ♪
♪ YOUR HEART ♪
♪ YOUR SIMPLE MELODY ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
(music)
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ I AM YOUR SONG ♪
♪ GOD ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE ♪
♪ YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE ♪
♪ YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE ♪
♪ YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
♪ ORCHESTRATE ♪
♪ YOUR SYMPHONY ♪
♪ THROUGH ME ♪
(applause)
(piano music)
(piano music)
>> NOW, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
THAT WAS AWESOME!
(applause)
WOW, OKAY.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME MISS LARISSA HOLLINGSWORTH McKISSACK
TO COME FORWARD, ATTORNEY AT LAW,
WHO WILL INTRODUCE THIS EVENING'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER.
(applause)
>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME.
AS A FELLOW WOMAN, ATTORNEY, MOTHER, AFRICAN-AMERICAN
AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, A MEMBER AND LOVER OF HUMANITY,
I AM MORE THAN HONORED TO INTRODUCE TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUEST,
JUDGE GLENDA HATCHETT,
A WOMAN WHOSE LIFE AND LEGACY IS A DERIVATIVE WORK
OF DR. KING'S.
WHILE I AM SURE MOST OF YOU KNOW JUDGE HATCHETT
FOR HER EMMY NOMINATED SYNDICATED TELEVISION SHOW,
HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE MUCH MORE.
SHE WAS THE FIRST EVER AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDING JUDGE
IN A GEORGIA STATE COURT,
LEADING ONE OF THE LARGEST JUVENILE SYSTEMS
IN OUR COUNTRY.
SHE WORKED AS THE HIGHEST RANKING AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN
FOR DELTA AIRLINES, WORKING THROUGHOUT EUROPE, ASIA,
AND THE UNITED STATES.
AND SHE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED
AS ONE OF THE 100 BEST AND BRIGHTEST WOMEN
IN CORPORATE AMERICA.
AS AN EXPERIENCED CORPORATE ATTORNEY, TURNED JUDGE,
JUDGE HATCHETT IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF DR. KING
HAS USED HER PROFESSION TO BUILD A PLATFORM,
NOT FOR SELF-EXALTATION BUT FOR SERVICE.
HER INTERVENTION WORK WITH TROUBLED YOUTH
CAN BE ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED HERE IN GRAND RAPIDS
WHERE WE HAVE BEEN BOMBARDED RECENTLY WITH NEWS
OF SENSELESS AND TRAGIC LIFE TAKEN AT THE HANDS OF GUN VIOLENCE
AND ITS EQUALLY DESTRUCTIVE RELATIVE,
THE SYSTEMATIC INCARCERATION OF YOUTH.
TO THIS PROBLEM, JUDGE HATCHETT HAS HEEDED THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN
BY DR. KING IN HIS INFAMOUS "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH,
WHERE HE INSTRUCTED THOSE WHO HAD BEEN ENLIGHTENED
AND INSPIRED BY THE DREAM
TO GO BACK AND INSPIRE SOMEONE STILL IN DESPAIR.
TO THIS HE STATED, "GO BACK TO MISSISSIPPI, GO BACK TO ALABAMA,
"GO BACK TO SOUTH CAROLINA, GO BACK TO GEORGIA,
"GO BACK TO LOUISIANA.
"GO BACK TO THE SLUMS AND GHETTOS OF OUR NORTHERN CITIES
"KNOWING THAT SOMEHOW THIS SITUATION CAN
"AND WILL BE CHANGED.
"LET US NOT WALLOW IN THE VALLEY OF DESPAIR."
JUDGE HATCHETT HEARD THE DREAM.
SHE CAUGHT THE VISION.
AND SHE MADE IT A REALITY IN HER LIFE,
AND SHE IS TAKING THE MESSAGE BACK TO THOSE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY
WHO ARE STILL IN DESPAIR.
HER ACADEMIC SUCCESS, HER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
AND NUMEROUS AWARDS AND NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION
IS EVIDENCE OF THE WELL-PAVED ROAD
LAID BEFORE HER BY PEOPLE LIKE DR. KING.
HOWEVER, BY LIVING A LIFE OF SERVICE TO THE DOWNTRODDEN
AND THE LESS ACCOMPLISHED,
JUDGE HATCHETT MAINTAINS AND REPAIRS THAT SAME ROAD,
SO THAT MANY MORE CAN CONTINUE SAFE TRAVEL
TOWARD THE DREAM.
SO TONIGHT, AS WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY
OF ONE OF OUR DEAREST NATIONAL HEROES,
IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR AND EXCITEMENT
THAT I INTRODUCE JUDGE GLENDA HATCHETT,
AND WE ASK YOU PLEASE RESPECT JUDGE HATCHETT'S REQUEST
THAT THERE BE NO VIDEO RECORDING.
LET'S BE GOOD AND GRACIOUS HOSTS AND RESPECT THAT REQUEST.
THANK YOU.
(applause)
>> THANKS IN THE RISING SUN OF A NEW DAY BEGUN!
LET US MARCH ON AND ON AND ON AND ON!
I GOT THE OTHER MIC.
IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO TELL ME?
>> EITHER ONE. >> EITHER ONE.
ALL RIGHT, WHEN I GET TO WALKING--
I'M GOING TO USE THIS ONE FOR A MINUTE FIRST.
WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO BE HERE,
BUT BEFORE I DO ANYTHING FURTHER,
MY SISTER ATTORNEY-- THAT WAS SUCH A WARM
AND GRACIOUS INTRODUCTION,
AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT. (applause)
I MEAN, THAT TOUCHED MY HEART.
IT REALLY TOUCHED MY HEART.
SO I AM THRILLED TO BE IN GRAND RAPIDS,
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
THIS EVENING! (applause)
I HAVE BEEN HERE ALL DAY IN THE NINE DEGREE WEATHER.
(audience laughing)
BUT WE ARE GOING TO HEAT IT UP IN HERE TONIGHT.
AND YOU HAVE BRAVED THE ELEMENTS TO BE HERE IN THIS PLACE,
AND I AM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER
TO MAKE IT WORTH YOUR WHILE,
AND I WANT YOU TO LEAVE HERE FEELING LIKE IT WAS WORTH YOUR EFFORT
TO BE IN HERE TONIGHT!
AS WE CELEBRATE! (applause)
SO LET ME BEGIN BY THANKING OUR HOST INSTITUTIONS--
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE PRESIDENT THERE,
THE PROVOST AT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY,
AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY.
I LOVE THIS CONSORTIUM OF COMING TOGETHER NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME
BUT COMING TOGETHER FOR YEARS AS WE CELEBRATE THE 27th ANNUAL
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION!
(applause)
AND FROM WHERE I COME FROM, WE CALL THAT "SHOUTING NEWS"!
(audience laughing)
SO I BRING YOU GREETINGS FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA, TODAY,
AND I AM JUST SO EXCITED.
I HAVE STARTED MY DAY OVER AT THE GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
EARLIER TODAY WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY
AND COMMUNITY LEADERS,
AND SO I AM SO HAPPY TO BE IN A FORUM TONIGHT
AS WE CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR CHILDREN.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT.
SO I JUST GIVE YOU GREAT, GREAT, GREAT KUDOS
FOR HAVING THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR HERE TONIGHT,
FOR HAVING THE CHILDREN PERFORM, FOR THE ESSAY WINNER,
CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS,
CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL OF OUR PERFORMER
YOUNG AND OLD, CONGRATULATIONS.
I GREW UP IN THE CHURCH CHOIR NOW.
HONEY, LET ME TELL YOU-- I WAS ABOUT TO HOP ON BACK THERE.
(audience laughing)
I WAS THINKING I HAVE BEEN IN EVERY KIND OF CHOIR--
THE CHURCH CHOIR, EVERY CHOIR MY MAMA KNEW ABOUT,
MY DADDY KNEW ABOUT.
I WAS IN THE CHURCH CHOIR, THE CHORUS, AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL--
WE DIDN'T HAVE MIDDLE SCHOOL-- HIGH SCHOOL.
I SANG IN THE CHOIR IN COLLEGE.
I MEAN, I KNOW GOOD MUSIC WHEN I HEAR GOOD MUSIC.
Y'ALL, THAT WAS WORKING.
YOU ALL GOING TO SING AGAIN BEFORE WE LEAVE TONIGHT?
OH, GOOD.
GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.
I LOVE GOOD MUSIC BEFORE I GET UP SING.
IT JUST KIND OF GETS ME GOING.
BUT IT IS TOUGH FOLLOWING THIS ACT TONIGHT,
BECAUSE YOU ALL HAD SOME REALLY WONDERFUL FOLK.
AND SO TO YOU, TO THE CO-CHAIRS, MRS. SPRINGER AND MISS ARNOLD,
I JUST THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK
AND TO YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.
AND BOBBY HAS NOT ONLY BEEN WORKING,
HE HAS BEEN DRIVING ME AROUND ALL DAY LONG,
BLESS HIS HEART,
AND WILL BE DRIVING ME AROUND ALL DAY TOMORROW,
BLESS HIS HEART.
SO THANK YOU.
CAN YOU HEAR ME IF I USE THIS MIC?
BECAUSE I DO THE HANDHELD MIC BEFORE I START WALKING--
THE MIC MIGHT BE OUT HERE BECAUSE I TALK WITH MY HANDS.
AS I SHARED WITH THE PRESIDENT OF DAVENPORT,
I AM A STORYTELLER.
I AM JUST GOING TO TALK TO YOU FROM MY HEART TONIGHT.
I'M JUST GOING TO SHARE SOME STORIES WITH YOU.
I AM GOING TO SHARE KIND OF AS AN INTRODUCTION TO SET THE TONE.
BUT-- I WILL TELL YOU THAT PART IN JUST A SECOND,
BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE MORE SENSE
IF I TELL YOU THAT PART IN CONTEXT.
"INHERIT THE DREAM."
MY SISTER ATTORNEY, YOU ARE SO RIGHT THAT I AM THE BENEFICIARY
OF DR. KING'S DREAM, THAT WE ALL ARE,
AND THAT I AM REMINDED AS WE GATHER
ALL OVER THE NATION TODAY TO CELEBRATE THIS GREAT MAN
THAT HE CHANGED THE COURSE OF THE WORLD,
THAT HE CHANGED THE HEARTS OF MEN AND WOMEN.
SO I JUST WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT BEFORE I START MY STORYTELLING,
AND I DID HAVE TO GO AND BORROW SOME GLASSES BACK HERE,
BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE HOTEL
AND HERE TO MY GLASSES,
SO I LOVE THE SISTERLY SHARING HERE,
AND I WILL GIVE THEM BACK.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
I AM FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA, BORN AND RAISED,
OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER A SEGREGATED SOUTH.
AND I, REFLECTING ON DR. KING, THINK ABOUT THE JOURNEY.
I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE WITH ME, BECAUSE TONIGHT,
YOU HAVE TO KIND OF USE YOUR IMAGINATION
AS I TAKE YOU SOME PLACES.
I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE THE YEAR DR. KING
WAS BORN IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, IN THE DEEP SOUTH,
HEART OF THE CONFEDERACY,
A LITTLE COLORED BOY BORN ON AUBURN AVENUE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA,
IN THE VIEW OF THE DOME OF THE CAPITOL
OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA,
ADORNED WITH THE SYMBOL OF THE CONFEDERACY--
THE CONFEDERATE BARS AND STRIPES--
DEEP IN THE HEART OF THE SEGREGATED SOUTH,
AT A TIME WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE WORLD
DIDN'T EXPECT MUCH,
AND MOST DIDN'T EXPECT ANYTHING FROM A LITTLE COLORED BOY
BORN IN THE SOUTH, OR BORN REALLY ANY PLACE IN THIS NATION,
AT A TIME WHEN EXPECTATIONS WERE LOW OR NON-EXISTENT
AND HOPELESSNESS WAS HIGH,
AT A TIME WHEN THE NATION WAS PLAGUED
WITH THE SICKNESS OF PREJUDICE, HATRED, AND SEGREGATION...
AND THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD MAY HAVE HAD LOW EXPECTATIONS
OF ANY OF A LITTLE BOY BORN,
WHO WAS BORN REALLY NAMED MICAH,
AND WHOSE FATHER CHANGED HIS NAME AND CHANGED HIS SON'S NAME
TO MARTIN LUTHER.
BUT DESTINY HAD A DIFFERENT PLAN.
IT SAW IT DIFFERENTLY.
AND DESTINY SET THIS LITTLE COLORED BOY OUT ON A PATH
THAT WOULD LEAD HIM ON A MISSION OF MERCY
AND A MARVELOUS OUTCOME.
WHO COULD HAVE KNOWN?
BUT IN THE DIVINE ORDER OF THINGS, THIS LITTLE COLORED BOY
WAS BORN INTO THE WORLD AT SUCH A TIME
WHEN WE NEEDED HIM MOST.
AND SO, WITH LOW EXPECTATIONS,
HE SET OUT ON THIS MISSION OF MERCY
NOT TO JUST LIBERATE A PEOPLE OF COLOR
BUT, RATHER, TO LIBERATE THE HEARTS AND SOULS OF ALL PEOPLE,
TO PRICK OUR CONSCIENCES,
TO SAVE US ALL FROM THE DEPTHS OF SEGREGATED BIGOTRY PREJUDICE,
WHERE PEOPLE COULDN'T SEE THE ESSENCE OF A PERSON'S GOODNESS
BECAUSE TOO MANY IN THE WORLD WERE BLINDED
BY THE EXISTENCE OF THEIR COLOR,
A MISSION OF MERCY TO RAISE A NATION--
YES, TO RAISE AN ENTIRE WORLD TO HIGHER GROUND.
AND SO TONIGHT, WE GATHER HERE TO HONOR DR. KING.
BUT LET ME BE VERY, VERY CLEAR WITH YOU.
DR. KING IS NOT JUST AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERO,
ALTHOUGH WE, AS AFRICAN-AMERICANS,
ARE MIGHTY, MIGHTY PROUD OF HIM.
BUT, RATHER, WE HONOR HIM FOR THE GLOBAL HERO THAT HE WAS,
THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE WILL BE THROUGHOUT ALL OF ETERNITY...
A MAN WHO CAME ON A MISSION OF MERCY
TO RAISE US ALL UP TO HIGHER GROUND
BECAUSE, AS HE SO TAUGHT US,
THAT EITHER WE LEARN TO LIVE AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS
OR WE WILL PERISH AS FOOLS.
SO TONIGHT, I SAT THERE FULL...
WITH THE CHILDREN PERFORMING,
WITH THE ESSAY BEING READ,
WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS TALKING ABOUT
WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM TO HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES,
ABOUT THIS WHOLE NOTION OF INHERITING A DREAM,
AND IT JUST REALLY TOOK ME BACK TO A PLACE
THAT I HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT.
I DON'T KNOW I HAVE EVER-- I KNOW I AM GOING TO BE HARD
FOR YOU TO WORK WITH TONIGHT, BUT I AM BLACK AND BAPTIST.
(audience laughing)
WHICH MEANS I HAVE TO WALK AND I TALK WHEN I TELL STORIES.
I HOPE I CAN TELL THIS STORY WITHOUT BREAKING, REALLY.
BECAUSE, BOBBY, I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT IN A LONG TIME,
AND YOU WERE THE ONE WHO TOLD ME JUST TO TELL THE STORIES.
BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THE STORY TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND
THAT I KNOW THAT I STAND HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE TONIGHT,
AND I AM HONORED TO BE INVITED HERE,
TO BE HERE WITH YOU TONIGHT.
BECAUSE I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS
OF MIGHTY, MIGHTY, MIGHTY GENERATIONS.
I DON'T GET IT TWISTED.
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE SEEN ME ON TV ALL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
BUT I KNOW THAT I AM HERE AT THIS PLACE,
AT THIS TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE
BY DIVINE DESIGN AND BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE
AND HIS MERCY... (applause)
AND BECAUSE A WHOLE LOT OF FOLK, MADAM TRUSTEE,
PRAYED FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE,
AND THAT I AM A LIVING MANIFESTATION OF A DREAM.
I DON'T GET IT TWISTED.
IF IT WERE NOT FOR MY ANCESTORS,
SLAVING IN THE HEAT OF THE GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA SUN,
FOR MY MOTHER TO SCRUB FLOORS TO PUT HERSELF THROUGH COLLEGE,
FOR MY DAD TO WORK UNTIL 2 OR 3 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT,
WAITING TABLES AT A PROGRESSIVE ALL-WHITE CLUB
AND WALKING SOMETIMES AS MANY AS SIX MILES BACK TO CAMPUS
TO PUT HIMSELF THROUGH COLLEGE.
MY GRANDMOTHER DIDN'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.
ONE DIDN'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION,
ANOTHER ONE WENT TO SPELLMAN,
BUT THEY BOTH WERE DOMESTICS ALL THEIR LIVES.
BUT THEY SACRIFICED BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THAT A TIME
WHEN WE, AS A NATION--
AND I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR--
BUT THAT WE WOULD MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
AND SO, I AM THE BENEFICIARY OF THAT DREAM
THAT REALLY STARTED BEFORE MARTIN.
LET'S BE CLEAR.
IT STARTED WITH OUR ANCESTORS,
GENERATIONS WHO POURED INTO MARTIN,
WHO THEN GAVE HIM WHAT HE NEEDED TO FORTIFY HIM
FOR THIS MISSION OF MERCY-- LET'S BE CLEAR!
IT WAS PEOPLE, GENERATIONS, WHO BUILT THE FOUNDATION
FOR HIM TO STAND ON, FOR HIM TO BE THERE,
AND SO THIS STORY THAT I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IN YEARS,
AS I WAS MOVED BY THE MUSIC, I REMEMBER THE DAY
THAT I WAS IN A STORE IN FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA.
I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, BOBBY.
I WAS IN THE STORE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER--
MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER--
AND SHE TURNED HER BACK FOR A MINUTE.
I GUESS I WAS FIVE.
I HAD TURNED FIVE THAT MAY-- IT WAS THAT SUMMER.
I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA.
SHE TURNED HER BACK FOR A MINUTE,
AND THERE WAS A COLORED SIGN
AND A WHITE SIGN ON THE WATER FOUNTAIN.
AND I RAN OVER-- I MUST HAVE BEEN FOUR, FOUR.
I RAN OVER BECAUSE I KNEW HOW TO SPELL "COLORED,"
BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE COULD GO AND DRINK WATER.
SAD COMMENTARY TO BE FOUR AND KNOW WHAT "COLORED" STOOD FOR.
BUT THAT IS HOW YOU SURVIVED.
YOU WENT AND YOU DRANK OUT OF THE "COLORED" FOUNTAIN.
BUT I WAS CURIOUS.
I WANTED TO KNOW IF THE WHITE WATER TASTED DIFFERENTLY.
SO I WENT UP THOSE LITTLE STEPS.
THEY HAVE THE LITTLE STEPS ON THE SIDE OF THE FOUNTAIN.
I TIPTOED OVER...
AND TWO LITTLE WHITE BOYS KNOCKED ME DOWN.
AND MY GRANDMOTHER GRABBED ME UP, AND I WAS CRYING,
AND SHE HEARD ME, AND SHE RAN OVER, AND SHE GRABBED ME UP,
AND SHE RUSHED ME OUT TO THE CAR, AND SHE FUSSED AT ME.
I WAS LIKE, "WHY DIDN'T YOU GET THEM?"
I WOULDN'T SAY THAT TO HER,
BUT THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING-- "WHY DON'T YOU GO GET THEM?"
AND SO, THE BEAUTY OF IT WAS I HAD PARENTS WHO TAUGHT ME
THAT BEING A LITTLE COLORED GIRL WAS A BLESSING AND NOT A CURSE.
(applause)
AND EVEN THOUGH THE WORLD, PERHAPS, SAW ME DIFFERENTLY,
IN TIME, I WOULD BE THE BENEFICIARY OF THAT DREAM
THAT KING TALKED ABOUT, ALREADY WAS,
BUT IT WOULD BE MANIFESTED IN TIME.
AND SO, FAST FORWARD NOW.
I AM OUT OF LAW SCHOOL.
I HAVE MY FIRST JOB AS THE FIRST BLACK CLERK
OF A FEDERAL BLACK JUDGE IN THE DEEP SOUTH.
HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK JUDGE APPOINTED TO THE FEDERAL BENCH,
AND I GOT TO WORK FOR HIM FIRST.
NOW, WATCH THIS.
HE HAD BEEN THE PLAINTIFF IN THE CASE THAT DESEGR--
I AM GOING TO DO A LITTLE HISTORY CASE TONIGHT--
THE CASE THAT DESEGREGATED THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.
HE HAD BEEN THE FIRST PLAINTIFF
TO GO TO APPLY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA LAW SCHOOL,
AND HE WAS DENIED ENTRANCE INTO THE LAW SCHOOL
IN THE COURTROOM BY JUDGE MURPHY.
HE THEN GETS DENIED, GOES ONTO NORTHWESTERN, COMES BACK,
STARTS PRACTICING LAW.
HE IS ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS ON THE CASE
THAT THEN REPRESENTED CHARLAYNE HUNTER
AND HAMILTON HOLMES THAT ULTIMATELY INTEGRATED
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.
HE WAS DR. KING'S LAWYER.
SO I USED TO HEAR STORIES WHEN I WAS HIS LAW CLERK
ABOUT WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG LAWYER,
WHEN HE WOULD GO AND GET DR. KING OUT OF JAIL.
WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED, HE WOULD GO AND POST BOND FOR HIM.
(indistinct), YOUNG PEOPLE-- THAT IS PART OF YOUR HISTORY.
SO NOW, WHEN HE GETS TO BE A FEDERAL JUDGE,
I GET TO GO TO WORK FOR HIM.
TELL ME I AM NOT A DIRECT DESCENDANT
IN THE LINE OF THE DREAM! (applause)
I DON'T GET IT TWISTED!
I KNOW THAT I AM THE BENEFICIARY.
BUT LET ME SHOW YOU HOW THIS WORKS.
I AM THIS YOUNG LAWYER.
I AM SO EXCITED.
I AM SITTING THERE IN THE COURTROOM THAT DAY.
AS HE TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE, ALL THESE DIGNITARIES--
BLACK, WHITE, EVERYBODY IS IN ATLANTA--
FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT AND THERE IS NO PLACE TO SIT.
I AM JUST HAPPY TO BE IN THE ROOM.
I AM JUST HAPPY TO BE IN THE ROOM.
HE BECKONS AND HE SAYS, "TAKE THE CHAIR IN THE JURY BOX."
THERE WAS ONE SEAT IN THE JURY BOX.
I HAD A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO HISTORY.
AS I SAW HIM PUT HIS HAND ON THE BIBLE, RAISE HIS RIGHT HAND
TO TAKE THE OFFICE-- I GUESS IT'S, YEAH, RIGHT HAND.
I'VE DONE THIS-- I SHOULD KNOW THIS, RIGHT?
(audience chuckling)
IN THE SAME COURTROOM, PHYSICALLY THE SAME COURTROOM
WHERE JUDGE MURPHY HAD DENIED HIM ENTRANCE
INTO THE UNIVERSITY YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AGO.
(applause)
ARC OF JUSTICE MAY BEND SLOWLY,
BUT IT WILL BEND IN THE DIRECTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
FAST FORWARD AGAIN.
NOW, THIS IS FROM THE WATER FOUNTAIN STORY.
YOU ALL FOLLOWING ME?
NOW, I AM WORKING FOR THE FIRST BLACK FEDERAL JUDGE
IN THE DEEP SOUTH WHO USED TO REPRESENT DR. KING,
WHO THEN ULTIMATELY WAS ON THE TEAM TO INTEGRATE
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA,
WHO WAS A GREAT CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY,
WHO BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST TWO BLACK SENATORS.
I AM LIVING IN THIS SITUATION DAILY,
LEARNING FROM ONE OF THE LEGENDS.
NOW WATCH THIS.
YEARS LATER, WHEN I WAS SWORN IN AS A JUDGE,
JUDGE WARD ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO ME.
MRS. KING SAT ON THE FRONT ROW, THERE IN SUPPORT.
THEIR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, BERNICE KING,
CAME TO WORK FOR ME AS MY FIRST LAW CLERK
WHEN SHE FINISHED LAW SCHOOL.
YOU ALL KNOW SHE IS A PREACHER.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT SHE IS ALSO A LAWYER.
AND SO, MY LIFE HAS BEEN IMPACTED.
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL-- I TOLD THE STORY EARLIER TODAY.
I WON'T TAKE THE TIME TO GO INTO IT ALL TODAY.
BUT HE CAME LATE FOR A RECITAL THAT-- HIS OLDEST DAUGHTER AND I
WERE ABOUT SIX YEARS OLD IN THIS RECITAL,
AND HE SAID, "PLAY FOR ME, PLEASE.
"I'M SORRY I MISSED THE RECITAL."
I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE, AND HE TURNED TO ME AND SAID,
"WON'T YOU PLAY FOR ME, TOO?"
SO AT THAT TIME, I JUST KNEW HE WAS A DADDY.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HE WAS TRANSFORMING THE WORLD.
SO I AM VERY GRATEFUL.
I'M VERY, VERY GRATEFUL.
BUT WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO--
WHY ALL THESE PERSONAL STORIES TO COME TO TELL YOU TONIGHT?
BECAUSE IT'S NOT MY STORY.
IT'S YOUR STORY.
IT'S EACH OF YOUR STORIES.
IT'S YOUR STORY, IT'S YOUR STORY,
IT'S YOUR STORY, IT'S YOUR STORY,
IT IS OUR STORY.
SO I SHARED SOME STATS.
I'M GOING TO SHARE A FEW OF THEM WITH YOU TONIGHT.
BECAUSE SO OFTEN PEOPLE COME AND ASK ME, "YOU KNOW,
"WHAT WOULD DR. KING THINK ABOUT THE SITUATION TODAY?"
WELL, HE WOULD BE VERY TROUBLED THAT CHILDREN
ARE BEING GUNNED DOWN IN SCHOOL
AND THAT PEOPLE CAN'T SIT IN A MOVIE THEATRE WITHOUT BEING KILLED,
AND THAT THERE ARE WARS WAGING ALL OVER THE WORLD
AND POVERTY IS GRIPPING US,
AND THAT EVERY DAY, AT LEAST EIGHT CHILDREN
SOMEWHERE IN THIS NATION,
ACCORDING TO THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND,
DIED DIRECTLY AS A RESULT OF POVERTY.
A CHILD OUGHT NOT DIE OF POVERTY IN THE RICHEST NATION
ON THE FACE OF THE GLOBE.
(applause)
AND WE BICKER AND WE FIGHT ABOUT BUDGETS TO UNDERWRITE THE COST
OF PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN,
BUT WE INSTANTLY SEND TROOPS HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
TO OSTENSIBLY LIBERATE A PEOPLE.
I SUPPORT-- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO HAVE MILITARY PRESENCE.
THERE ARE CRAZY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
I GET THAT.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE GOT TO FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN,
AND WE HAVE GOT TO IMMUNIZE OUR CHILDREN,
AND WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELDERLY ARE CARED FOR,
AND THAT WE ARE PAYING TEACHERS TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN.
(applause)
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU EXACTLY WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU EXACTLY WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT.
HOW AM I DOING ON TIME?
OKAY, THIS IS NAEEMA RASHAD, AND SHE LOST HER VOICE YESTERDAY.
LET ME JUST TELL YOU-- I HAVE TO CALL HER OUT.
SHE LOST HER VOICE YESTERDAY
BECAUSE SHE WAS AT THE FALCON'S GAME IN THE DOME, SCREAMING.
IT HAS BEEN KIND OF INTERESTING BECAUSE SHE KEEPS ME IN CHARGE
AND SHE TELLS ME EVERYTHING TO DO,
BUT SHE HASN'T HAD A VOICE TODAY.
SO IT'S BEEN LIKE, "WHOO, HA HA!"
SO SHE IS DOWN THERE DOING SIGN LANGUAGE LIKE,
"YOU ARE RUNNING TOO LONG."
(audience laughing)
AND I GO, "HUH, WHAT YOU SAY?"
AND SHE CAN'T TALK-- IT'S JUST GREAT.
NO, I'M JUST JOKING.
NO, SHE IS WONDERFUL.
AND WE WERE BOTH AT THE GAME,
AND LAST WEEK, I DIDN'T HAVE A VOICE,
SO THANK GOODNESS I HAVE A VOICE THIS WEEK
AND I AM ABLE TO TALK,
BECAUSE IF WE BOTH WEREN'T ABLE TO TALK,
BOBBY WOULD JUST HAVE HAD A FIT.
HE'D BE LIKE, "OKAY, JUDGE,
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE SPEAKING,
"NOT YELLING AT THE FOOTBALL GAME YESTERDAY,"
WHICH WE SADLY LOST,
BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT, RIGHT?
LET'S MOVE RIGHT ON.
OKAY, SO I WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT A CONCERN
I HAVE FOR EDUCATION.
AND NOW THAT I HAVE BORROWED THE GLASSES,
I CAN ACTUALLY READ THESE TO YOU.
IN MICHIGAN,
THE COST TO EDUCATE A CHILD FOR A YEAR IS $10,373.
ALL RIGHT?
BUT LET ME TELL YOU.
FOURTH GRADERS-- GET THIS NOW--
THE PERCENT OF FOURTH GRADERS WHO CAN'T READ
ON FOURTH GRADE LEVEL IS 69 PERCENT.
AND 65 PERCENT CAN'T DO MATH ON FOURTH GRADE LEVEL.
THAT'S A PROBLEM.
NOW, YOU THINK IT GETS BETTER WHEN THEY GET TO EIGHTH GRADE?
UH-UH.
BY THE TIME THEY GET TO EIGHTH GRADE,
READING IS JUST FRACTIONALLY BETTER,
BUT MATH IS NOW 69.2 PERCENT OF THEM CANNOT READ--
DO MATH, I'M SORRY, ON EIGHTH GRADE LEVEL
AND 68 PERCENT CANNOT READ ON EIGHTH GRADE LEVEL.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IS HAPPENING.
AND THIS IS NOT JUST PECULIAR TO MICHIGAN.
THIS IS A PROBLEM ALL OVER OUR NATION.
WE HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE INVEST ON THE FRONT END,
SO WE ARE NOT PAYING WHAT I CALL "BACK STOP,"
AND CHILDREN GET IN COURTS LIKE MINE.
AND SO, WE HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE DO,
AND THAT IS A PART OF WHAT I BELIEVE KING TALKED ABOUT
WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT "THE BELOVED COMMUNITY."
LIKE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
I MEAN, WE HAVE GOT TO DREAM, I BELIEVE,
WITH OUR EYES WIDE OPEN...
IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING A STRONGER NATION.
SO WHEN I TALK ABOUT INVESTING IN EDUCATION,
AND I TALK SO MUCH ABOUT OUR CHILDREN,
OUR CHILDREN ARE ALL WE HAVE IN WHICH TO BUILD A GENERATION
OF MEN AND WOMEN.
AND IF WE DON'T INVEST IN THEM NOW, WHAT ARE WE LEAVING?
SO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN--
THE RATIO IS 3.01 TIMES MORE THAT WE SPEND
ON INCARCERATING A PRISONER FOR A YEAR
THAN WE SPEND ON EDUCATING A CHILD FOR A YEAR.
AND SO, WE HAVE GOT TO SHIFT THIS.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE INVEST
SO WE AREN'T LOCKING PEOPLE UP.
THREE STRIKES AND YOU ARE OUT.
I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT "THREE STRIKES AND YOU ARE OUT."
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN,
SO THAT THERE ARE NO STRIKES.
SO WE NEED TO GIVE THEM BATTING PRACTICE.
WE NEED TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THE ESSAY CONTEST.
I LOVE THE LAW FIRM FOR DOING THAT.
WE NEED MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE ENCOURAGING KIDS
TO APPLY TO THESE WONDERFUL INSTITUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY
AND TO DREAM BIG, BOLD DREAMS.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT "INHERITING THE DREAM"
AND WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE ASKING ME, "WHAT WOULD KING SAY,
"WHAT WOULD KING DO,"
IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT KING WOULD SAY,
IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT KING WOULD DO.
IT IS ABOUT WHAT ARE WE PREPARED TO DO HERE AND NOW...
(applause) IN A WAY THAT WILL LIVE ON
BEYOND OUR LIFETIME.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
THERE IS POWER IN THE POTENTIAL THAT IS AMONG US!
SO MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS-- AND I SAY SISTERS AND BROTHERS,
AND I USE THAT AS A VERY LIBERAL TERM,
BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS WITHOUT REGARD
TO RACE OR CULTURE OR RELIGION, WHERE YOU COME FROM.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR ZIP CODE IS.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
AND I TOLD THE STUDENTS EARLIER TODAY,
MR. PRESIDENTS AND MADAM PROVOST,
THAT WE HAVE GOT TO REALLY TURN THIS CONVERSATION AROUND
AND NOT TALK ABOUT TOLERATING EACH OTHER
BUT, RATHER, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE TRY TO BRIDGE
SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS ABOUT.
IF I AM GOING TO REALLY BE CONNECTED WITH YOU,
THEN I HAVE TO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND YOU
AND TO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DIFFERENT,
AND THROUGH YOUR DIFFERENCES, IF I AM OPEN,
I CAN LEARN FROM YOU.
YOU CAN TEACH ME.
I CAN GROW, AND I CAN SEE THE WONDERFUL THINGS
THAT YOU BRING TO THIS MAGNIFICENT TAPESTRY.
THINK ABOUT IT.
THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.
IT IS A MAGNIFICENT TAPESTRY THAT EVERYBODY BRINGS
THEIR OWN LITTLE CREATIVE PIECE OF YOUR SOUL, OF YOUR ESSENCE,
OF YOUR TALENTS, IN A WAY THAT IF WE ARE WILLING
TO BE ABLE TO BE OPEN AND TO SHARE,
THEN WE REALLY ARE GAINING FROM IT.
SO I AM THANKFUL TONIGHT THAT I AM THE BENEFICIARY
OF DR. KING'S DREAM,
BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ME TO JUST INHERIT IT.
I'VE GOT TO BE THE CARETAKER FOR IT.
I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.
I'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SOMETHING AND DO SOMETHING
WITH PURPOSE AND PASSION HERE AND NOW
THAT WILL LIVE ON BEYOND MY LIFETIME.
AND THAT IS THE QUESTION-- "WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO DO?"
EVERYBODY CAN'T MENTOR-- I GET THAT.
SOME FOLKS DON'T NEED TO MENTOR.
SOME FOLKS JUST NEED TO WRITE A CHECK.
(audience laughing) (applause)
I MEAN, SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE.
LET'S CALL IT LIKE IT IS, NOW.
EVERYBODY DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO MENTOR.
BUT MAYBE YOU CAN WRITE A CHECK,
SO THAT THAT CHILD CAN GO TO THE Y THIS SUMMER.
WRITE A CHECK FOR A MOM AND DADDY
WHO DON'T HAVE A CHECK BOOK,
SO HE CAN BE RUNNING BASES PLAYING SOFTBALL THIS SUMMER
RATHER THAN RUNNING DRUGS FOR SOME DRUG DEALER.
LET'S KEEP IT REAL. (applause)
AND SO, WHAT ARE WE PREPARED TO DO?
YOUR DAUGHTER IS TAKING PIANO LESSONS.
MAYBE SISTER JONES' GRANDDAUGHTER AT THE CHURCH
NEEDS TO GET SOME PIANO LESSONS, TOO,
BECAUSE YOU KNOW HER MAMA CAN'T DO THE PIANO LESSONS,
AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE DADDY IS RIGHT NOW.
LET'S KEEP THAT REAL, TOO.
SO WE ARE GOING TO CALL SISTER JONES.
MAYBE WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO PIANO LESSONS
OR TAKE HER TO THE SCIENCE CLUB PROJECT,
THAT MAYBE YOU CAN TAKE SISTER JONES' GRANDDAUGHTER, TOO.
THAT IS WHAT THE BELOVED COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE.
(applause)
YOU KNOW, MY KIDS ARE LIKE, "LORD, HAVE MERCY."
MY CHILDREN HAVE GONE TO MORE SHELTERS
AND DONE MORE COMMUNITY SERVICE
AND WORKED ON MORE HABITAT PROJECTS
THAN THEY PROBABLY WANT TO REMEMBER.
THAT'S GOOD.
THAT'S GOOD.
YOU'VE GOT TO LIFT AS YOU CLIMB.
THAT'S WHAT I TELL THEM.
THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
MAKE THEM CLEAN OUT THEIR CLOSETS.
I AM GETTING PRACTICAL NOW.
THERE ARE SOME KIDS WHO NEED SOME STUFF
THAT YOUR CHILDREN AREN'T USING.
LET YOUR CHILDREN HELP YOU SO THAT THEY CAN SEE THEY ARE GIVING BACK
AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
ONE QUICK THING, AND THEN, I AM GOING TO TELL YOU ANOTHER STORY.
AND I PROMISE I'M NOT GOING TO BE HERE ALL NIGHT,
BECAUSE I AM BLACK AND BAPTIST AND WE CAN GO LONG,
AND I KNOW IT'S COLD OUTSIDE AND PEOPLE NEED TO GO HOME.
TOMORROW IS A SCHOOL DAY.
BUT ONE OF THE CHALLENGES I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH--
BOBBY, THIS IS A CHALLENGE THAT I REALLY WANT THE COMMUNITY
AND HOPE THE COMMUNITY WILL EMBRACE AFTER I AM GONE,
IS THAT I WANT US TO ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN
TO DREAM BIG DREAMS.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DREAMER.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DR. KING AND DREAMS.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN TO DREAM BIG, BOLD DREAMS.
AND SO, THE CHALLENGE TONIGHT TO ALL OF US WHO HAVE CHILDREN
IS THAT I WANT YOU TO GO THIS WEEK--
BETWEEN NOW AND THE WEEKEND, BEFORE THE WEEKEND IS OVER,
I WANT YOU TO DO THREE THINGS, REAL SIMPLE.
ASK YOUR CHILDREN, "WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR YOUR LIFE?
"WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR YOUR LIFE?"
NUMBER TWO, WRITE IT IN BIG LETTERS ON A PIECE OF PAPER--
IF THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH, LET THEM DO IT THEMSELVES.
AND THIS IS THE THIRD PART-- THE PART I LOVE--
AND THEN YOU ARE GOING TO POST IT ON THE CEILING.
WHY?
BECAUSE I WANT IT TO BE THE FIRST THING THEY SEE EVERY MORNING
WHEN THEY WAKE UP,
AND I WANT IT TO BE THE LAST THING THEY SEE
EVERY NIGHT WHEN THEY CLOSE THEIR EYES.
WHY?
BECAUSE SEE, I AM A MAMA BEFORE I WAS A JUDGE.
I KNOW THAT CHILDREN WHO FOCUS ON THEIR DREAMS
ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET IN TROUBLE.
THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO SET GOALS
AND MORE LIKELY TO ATTAIN THEM.
SO WHATEVER IT IS-- I HAVE SOME KIDS IN THE AUDIENCE.
TELL ME WHAT YOUR DREAM IS.
I NEED TWO TO TELL ME WHAT THEIR DREAM IS.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
>> (indistinct speaking). >> AND BE WHAT?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO--
LIKE, IF YOU COULD BE ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
YOU DON'T KNOW YET.
WHO ELSE?
COME ON.
TELL ME!
JUST SHOUT IT OUT!
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
>> (indistinct speaking). >> PSYCHOLOGIST.
SOMEBODY ELSE-- SHOUT IT OUT!
>> (indistinct speaking). >> JOURNALISM.
>> (indistinct speaking). >> POLITICS.
>> (indistinct speaking). >> JUDGE.
OOH, I LOVE THAT ANSWER. (audience laughing)
>> (indistinct speaking). >> DOCTOR.
>> (indistinct speaking). >> WHAT?
>> DESIGNER. >> DESIGNER, NURSE.
YOU HEAR THAT?
YOU ALL HEAR THOSE DREAMS?
NOBODY SAID, "I WANT TO BE A THUG.
(applause)
NOBODY SAID, "I WANT TO BE IN JAIL."
NOBODY SAID, "I WANT TO BE STRUNG OUT ON DOPE."
ALL OF THESE ARE DREAMS.
EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED,
HE SAID, "I AM GOING TO COLLEGE TO GET A GOOD EDUCATION."
SO OUR JOB IS TO GUARANTEE SAFE PASSAGE FROM HERE
TO THEIR DREAMS.
I WANT YOU TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF POSTING THESE DREAMS
ON THE CEILING-- IT MAY CHANGE.
IF IT CHANGES, TAKE IT DOWN AND PUT SOMETHING ELSE UP THERE.
IT'S OKAY.
BUT I WANT THESE DREAMS ON THE CEILING.
I WANT THESE CHILDREN FOCUSING ON THEIR DREAMS.
SEE, WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF POSTING DREAMS
SO WE NEVER, EVER HAVE TO POST THEIR BAIL, EVER.
(applause)
I PROMISE YOU THIS IS THE LAST STORY.
I KNOW, IT'S LIKE YOU HAVE REALLY BEEN HANGING IN HERE WITH ME.
YOU KNOW, USUALLY, I RUN BACK AND FORTH HERE,
BUT SINCE YOU WERE SITTING IN THE CHAIR,
I WAS BEING VERY GRACIOUS AND DIDN'T RUN OVER TO YOU TONIGHT.
I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I DO. >> OKAY, GOOD.
(audience laughing)
LAST STORY, AND I PROMISE I AM FINISHED.
WHOOPS, IT'S OVER HERE.
WHEN I-- I WAS GOING TO READ A LITTLE BIT.
CAN I JUST READ A LITTLE OF THE SPEECH
WE DON'T FOCUS IN ON ENOUGH?
WE FOCUS IN ON "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH.
WE TALK ABOUT THE "MOUNTAINTOPS" AND "LET FREEDOM RING,"
AND WE ALL KNOW THAT LINE SO WELL.
CAN I READ YOU A COUPLE LINES
THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO REMEMBER,
THAT AREN'T QUITE AS FAMOUS IN THE SPEECH?
THEN, I WILL TELL YOU MY STORY,
AND I PROMISE I AM SITTING DOWN.
I'M JUST TAKING LITTLE PIECES OF IT.
"I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED.
"EVERY HILL AND MOUNTAIN SHALL BE MADE LOW.
"THE ROUGH PLACES WILL BE MADE PLAIN,
"AND THE CROOKED PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT."
OH, THAT LEFT ME, AND IT'S NOT COMING BACK.
LET'S SEE-- HOLD IT.
I HAVE THIS NEW IPHONE AND IT'S JUST NOT WORKING.
ALL RIGHT, SO I'M JUST GOING TO TELL MY STORY
WHILE YOU FIND IT AGAIN FOR ME, PLEASE.
I JUST GOT THIS NEW GADGET, AND IT'S JUST DRIVING ME CRAZY.
I HIT THE WRONG BUTTON.
SO MUCH FOR THAT POINT THAT I WAS GETTING READY TO READ.
I HAD TO GO GET SOME GLASSES JUST TO READ IT,
AND NOW I HIT THE WRONG BUTTON.
SO THE STORY I WANTED TO TELL YOU IS THE SUNDAY BEFORE
I WAS GOING AWAY TO COLLEGE--
AND MAYBE WE JUST WON'T BOTHER WITH IT, NAEEMA.
I AM RUNNING LATE, ANYWAY.
THE SUNDAY BEFORE I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO COLLEGE--
I AM A MEMBER OF THE SAME CHURCH THAT MY PARENTS MARRIED
AND JOINED RIGHT AFTER THEY GOT MARRIED
AND SETTLED IN ATLANTA.
MY MOM IS FROM FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA,
MY DAD FROM A SMALL PLACE IN GEORGIA.
THEY MET IN GRADUATE SCHOOL AT ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
AND FELL IN LOVE, GOT MARRIED.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LOVE STORY.
AND IT IS A VERY SMALL CONGREGATION,
AND EVERYBODY KNEW EVERYBODY.
YOU KNOW, I HAD BEEN IN THAT CHURCH ALL MY LIFE,
AND I SURE WASN'T GOING TO TELL MY MOM AND DADDY
I WAS GOING TO SKIP CHURCH THE SUNDAY BEFORE I WAS LEAVING
TO GO TO COLLEGE-- THAT WASN'T EVEN GOING TO FLY.
I WASN'T EVEN GOING TO TRY THAT ONE.
AND SO, AFTER CHURCH WAS OVER THAT SUNDAY,
MOTHER ODESSA DUNCAN CAME UP TO ME.
AND FOR MY WHITE BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE AUDIENCE,
MOTHERS BOARD-- SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE MOTHERS BOARD,
AND THAT IS THE GROUP OF ELDERS--
THE ELDER WOMEN IN THE BLACK BAPTIST SOUTHERN CHURCH
WHO ARE REVERED AND HONORED,
AND THEY KNOW EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS.
THAT'S THE OTHER THING. (audience laughing)
YOU ALL KNOW THAT'S TRUE.
IF YOU ALL HAVE SOUTHERN ROOTS, YOU ALL KNOW THAT'S TRUE.
AND MOTHER ODESSA DUNCAN CAME UP TO ME AT THE END OF THE SERVICE
WITH ONE OF THOSE HANDKERCHIEFS--
SEE, I CAN DO THIS-- THAT HAD RED EMBROIDERED RED ROSE.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE BLACK OR WHITE OR EAST INDIAN
OR SOUTH ASIAN PACIFIC--
EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THOSE WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS
WITH THE RED ROSE EMBROIDERED IN THE CORNER.
EVERYBODY HAD AN AUNT, GRANDMA-- YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THEM.
AND SHE TOOK THIS HANDKERCHIEF,
AND SHE KNOTTED IN EACH ONE OF THE FOUR CORNERS
A SILVER HALF DOLLAR.
MADAM ATTORNEY, EACH OF THE FOUR CORNERS.
AND SHE TOOK THAT HANDKERCHIEF, AND SHE FOLDED IT UP,
AND SHE REACHED FOR MY HAND,
AND SHE TOOK IT AND PUT IT IN THE PALM OF MY HAND
AND SHE PRESSED MY FINGERS TIGHT WITH HER HAND ON TOP OF IT.
AND SHE LOOKED ME IN THE EYE, AND SHE SAID, "BABY!
"I CAN'T GO WHERE YOU'RE GOING...
"BUT, BABY, YOU RUN ON."
IN THAT HANDKERCHIEF, FOUR SILVER HALF DOLLARS.
TWO DOLLARS BY MONETARY STANDARDS,
BUT IN THAT HANDKERCHIEF
REPRESENTED WEALTH THAT YOU COULDN'T MEASURE,
BECAUSE WHAT SHE WAS SAYING WAS I HAVE RUN MY LEG OF THE RACE.
I HAVE RUN THE GOOD RACE.
I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.
I HAVE PERSEVERED... FACING THE END.
BUT SEE, MOTHER ODESSA DUNCAN I KNOW DIDN'T FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW FAR MAYBE SHE HAD GOTTEN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
WORKED ALL OF HER LIFE AS A DOMESTIC,
BUT SHE PRAYED FOR MY GENERATION.
SHE PRAYED FOR A GENERATION WHO WOULD MOVE TO A HIGHER GROUND
THAN SHE WOULD EVER SEE.
SHE HAD NEVER BEEN INSIDE OF A COLLEGE,
COULDN'T IMAGINE WHAT MY LIFE WAS ABOUT TO BE,
BUT SHE PRAYED FOR ME.
SHE PRAYED-- WHEN I SAY "PRAYED FOR ME,"
I MEAN SHE PRAYED FOR US SYMBOLICALLY,
BECAUSE SEE, INSTINCTIVELY, SHE UNDERSTOOD THE DREAM
BEFORE MARTIN WAS BORN.
THERE WERE GENERATIONS WHO UNDERSTOOD
BEFORE MARTIN WAS BORN.
MARTIN WAS THE MESSENGER.
YOU SEE, MARTIN WAS THE EMBODIMENT
OF ALL THOSE DEACON JONES AND REVEREND SMITHS
AND AUNTIE ROSE AND BIG MAMAS
AND PAPA BROWN.
WE CAN CALL THEM-- ALL-- HE WAS THE SYMBOL.
HE EMBODIED ALL OF THEIR PRAYERS AND DREAMS.
THAT'S WHY HE COULD TALK ABOUT A DREAM IN WASHINGTON THAT DAY,
BECAUSE IT WAS GENERATIONS HAVING POURED INTO HIM
AND LIFTING HIM UP TO BLESS US.
SO THAT'S THE CHALLENGE TONIGHT.
WE ARE-- WE ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF A DREAM.
WE HAVE INHERITED IT.
SO WE HAVE TO ACT LIKE WE ARE INHERITED.
WE HAVE TO ACT LIKE WE OWN IT.
WE HAVE TO CLAIM IT.
WE HAVE TO LIVE IT.
WE HAVE TO EMBODY IT.
AND THEN, WE HAVE TO RUN OUR LEG OF THE RACE.
AND WHEN IT IS OUR TIME TO PASS BATON, THAT WE DO IT WITH GRACE,
WE DO IT WITH DETERMINATION, WE DO IT WITH DIGNITY,
AND WE DO IT WITH PURPOSE,
LEAVING THE WORLD IN A BETTER PLACE THAN WE GOT IT.
SO FACING THE RISING SUN,
I AM GOING TO QUOTE MY GRANDMA'S FAVORITE SONG,
"WALK TOGETHER CHILDREN, AND DON'T YOU GET WEARY.
"RUN ON AND SEE WHAT THE"-- >> (indistinct speaking).
>> "IT WILL BE.
"FACING THE RISING SUN OF THE DAY BEGUN
"LET US MARCH ON AND ON AND ON AND ON."
I THANK GOD FOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.
LET US ACT LIKE WE ARE BENEFICIARIES OF THE DREAM.
THANK YOU.
(applause)
(piano music)
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE HATCHETT,
FOR LETTING US BE THE BENEFICIARIES OF YOUR WISDOM,
YOUR INSPIRATION, AND YOUR CHALLENGE.
WE APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THIS EVENING WITH US TONIGHT.
FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED, JUDGE HATCHETT
WILL BE SIGNING BOOKS IN THE BACK HERE TONIGHT
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONE OF HER BOOKS.
I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO REALLY BE CAREFUL DRIVING HOME TONIGHT.
LET'S BE PATIENT AND GET HOME SAFE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING IN CELEBRATION TONIGHT.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
(applause)
(music)
(music)
>> (choir singing) ♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS ♪
♪ KEEP ME IN THE VALLEY ♪
♪ HIDE ME FROM THE RAIN ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ HEALS ME WHEN I'M BROKEN ♪
♪ STRENGTH WHERE I AM WEAKENED ♪
♪ FOREVER HE WILL REIGN ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME AWESOME ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME AWESOME ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE WORLD ♪
♪ GIVER OF SALVATION ♪
♪ BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ TODAY I AM FORGIVEN ♪
♪ HIS GRACE IS WHY I'M LIVING ♪
♪ PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME AWESOME ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME AWESOME ♪
♪ HE'S MIGHTY HE'S MIGHTY ♪
♪ HE'S MIGHTY HE'S MIGHTY ♪
♪ HE'S MIGHTY HE'S MIGHTY ♪
♪ HE'S MIGHTY HE'S MIGHTY ♪
♪ HE'S AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ HE'S HOLY HE'S HOLY ♪
♪ HE'S HOLY HE'S HOLY ♪
♪ HE'S HOLY HE'S HOLY ♪
♪ HE'S HOLY HE'S HOLY ♪
♪ AWESOME HE'S AWESOME ♪
♪ PROVIDER PROVIDER ♪
♪ PROVIDER PROVIDER ♪
♪ PROVIDER PROVIDER ♪
♪ PROVIDER PROVIDER ♪
♪ SAY AWESOME AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ SAY PROTECTOR PROTECTOR ♪
♪ PROTECTOR PROTECTOR ♪
♪ PROTECTOR PROTECTOR ♪
♪ PROTECTOR PROTECTOR ♪
♪ AWESOME AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ HE CAN DO ANYTHING AWESOME ♪
♪ THERE'S NOTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME HE'S AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME HE'S AWESOME HE'S AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME HE'S AWESOME HE'S AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME HE'S AWESOME ♪
♪ AWESOME ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS ♪
♪ KEEP ME IN THE VALLEY ♪
♪ HIDE ME FROM THE RAIN ♪
♪ MY GOD IS AWESOME ♪
♪ HEALS ME WHEN I'M BROKEN ♪
♪ STRENGTH WHERE I AM WEAKENED ♪
♪ BLESS HIS HOLY NAME ♪
(applause)