Speeches

Martin Luther King, Jr.

It’s a privilege to join you in celebration of the vision and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today would have been his 79th birthday.

This day has special meaning for me, because while many influences have shaped my life, little has had the impact that the struggle for equality and freedom had on my family. Allow me to explain.

Some of you may know that my family moved to the United States from South Africa when I was an infant. My parents’ choice to leave their families and home was a result of the policy of Apartheid, which was adopted by the South African government the year I was born, 1948. This was the second time my father left a country to escape racial policies…the first was Nazi Germany when he was 15 years old. Twenty of our relatives subsequently perished in the Nazi death camps.

When my family came to the United States, we settled in a working class neighborhood of immigrants on the South Side of Chicago. My father identified strongly with the plight of those who were victims of bigotry. Meanwhile, my mother left behind all of her family--in South Africa. 

I learned, only after Nelson Mandela’s autobiography was published, that my relatives who had remained in South Africa had been involved in hiding Mandela over the years, and in fact, he spent his last night as a free man at the home of my cousins, Leon and Zelda Street. Leon died last year.

I share this story with you for a couple of reasons.

First, my family’s struggles for civil rights have shaped much of my thinking and identity. I’m inspired by their perseverance, compassion and courage, and they have had a tremendous influence on who I am today.

I also know that my family is not unique. Each of you has stories of courage, activism, integrity and honor that have been handed down by your families.

Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

So I encourage you to share your stories, for I believe that in remembering the struggles of our past, we are inspired to continue the work of Dr. King.

Dr. King often spoke of his belief that “There is within human nature an amazing potential for goodness.”

He said, “We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. And we aren’t going to have peace on earth until we recognize this basic fact of the interrelated structure of reality.”

Today is a day to celebrate this unity. As we strive to Understand the Vision and Fulfill the Legacy of Dr. King, I hope we can reflect on our common history and look forward to a future of promise.
 
I want to thank everyone here who has played a part in making Penn State a more welcoming community. It is your leadership and engagement that have made Penn State a preferred destination for an increasingly diverse community of students, faculty and staff.

I also want to thank you for inviting me to share in the evening of celebration. This is an event I look forward to each year. Unfortunately, I’m participating in a live TV broadcast starting in a few minutes and will not be able to stay for the evening. I do hope to see you at other events this week, including the Day of Service Evening Celebration at Eisenhower Auditorium next Wednesday.  Again, thank you and enjoy your evening.