Speeches

Martin Luther King, Jr. Bell Ringing Ceremony

This is the desire that has brought us together today. In just a few moments, we will make a resounding noise with our bell-ringing to proclaim the fundamental importance of freedom in our own lives, in our university, our nation, and our world. And we will ring out to call attention to the insensitivity, injustice, and inequality that curtail freedom and happiness throughout society.

Though our actions today are symbolic, they have tremendous potential. Inspired by another great symbol, our nation's Liberty Bell, and energized by the legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., this event is a statement of personal conviction and community involvement. Though it's a moment of pause and reflection, importantly, it's a moment of resolve for the future as well.

I wish to use this brief time to raise two questions that require careful attention. The first: What is freedom? The second: How can we, individually and together, promote freedom in society?

It is helpful to think of the first of these questions in terms of freedom to and freedom from. The two are closely related, and considering both greatly expands the challenge of championing freedom for humanity. The freedom to follow religious beliefs, to pursue personal dreams, to think and to learn, and to express different points of view are among the most obvious freedoms, the ones that helped to define the foundation of liberty upon which our country is built. They are also a foundation for Penn State's work.

These basic rights cannot exist in a vacuum. They require an environment of mutual acceptance and respect, a valuing of diversity, and a sensitivity to others in the exercise of individual rights. We work hard to promote these qualities in our Penn State family, in keeping with the University's responsibility to create opportunities for individuals, communities, and society. These qualities, of course, were central themes in Reverend King's message, and our reaffirmation of their continuing importance is an important part of our celebration of his national holiday each year.

But I hope we do even more spurred on by this occasion, for the freedoms to require something more. As Reverend King would remind us, to be fully realized, the freedoms to must be accompanied by freedoms from. Freedom from prejudice and discrimination, as I have noted, is essential but it is not enough. Without freedom from illiteracy, hunger, poverty, violence, epidemic disease, and other such conditions, it's difficult at best, and more likely impossible, to hope and to dream let alone follow those hopes and dreams to a happy and prosperous future. Such conditions pose serious limitations on the freedom to thrive, which is the most basic of human rights.

So first, it's important to come to understand fully the terms and conditions of freedom in our changing society if freedom is ever to be truly universal. There follows the question of what can be done to protect and promote it. Dr. King answered this question emphatically with another when he said that "life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?" He knew that each individual can make a difference in eliminating the barriers to freedom, that a collective good can and must derive from acts of individual conscience, individual commitment, and individual service.

I am proud to say that Penn Staters are doing a great deal for others and these efforts together are making a great difference. Last year, our students volunteered nearly 256,000 hours in communities across the state and raised substantial amounts of money for worthy causes. Thousands of Penn State alumni participated in a national community service week and will do so again this spring. And our faculty, through their work on a wide range of human development and economic development issues, contribute significantly to the improvement of quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

These many different efforts, each in its own way, help to make a better world. As they create opportunities and encourage and support those with special challenges and needs, these acts of community and public service bring the world closer to Reverend King's vision of equality and justice for all.

It's not enough to let freedom ring. We must make it ring through caring, compassion, and service. This is a part of our Penn State tradition. I invite you to join in this wonderful work beginning today.

Make freedom ring.