In a week of concerts, discussions and community service, the university honored Martin Luther King Jr. in its 10th annual celebration of his legacy.
The weeklong event commemorating King’s academic, spiritual and political legacy began with Monday’s Let Freedom Ring! concert at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The concert included performances by Grammy award-winning artist Bobby McFerrin, famous for his single “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” accompanied by the Let Freedom Ring! celebration choir.
Professor Clarence Jones, a former speechwriter for King, was awarded the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award during the event.
“We value Dr. King for his academic genius and the work he produced and that we study today at Georgetown,” MLK week committee member George Smith (COL ’14) said. “We look at his spiritual side and how that guided him through his work. And service — Dr. King did this nation such a service, and each event is used to pay honor to him, reflect, remember, relive and recapitulate aspects of hislegacy.”
Events later in the week included an academic panel Tuesday focusing on the influence of King’s work on social and economic justice, a memorial service at Dahlgren Chapel Wednesday and a reflection event in Copley Formal Lounge Thursday in which students and faculty expressed their appreciation for the civil rights leader through music, dance and spoken word.
“I thought the events did an amazing job of showing how Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy remains relevant in our culture today, and how the issues he faced, we face as well,” Tucker Cholvin (SFS ’15) said.
According to Smith, the reflection event, which is now in its fifth year, had a special significance for its student volunteers.
“It was started by students for students,” Smith said. “There wasn’t anything like it for students to get together and share their experiences with King’s legacy personally.”
The celebration will conclude with a day of service Saturday, when students will travel to Ward 7 to work with local community organizations in honor of King.
“It is a celebration, a time for us to look at this American icon and learn from his legacy in every way possible,” Smith said. “This is one thing I will remember throughout my time at Georgetown.”
