By GREG HORNER, Staff Reporter.
In a display of talent and culture, Delta College honored the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The celebration began in Founders Hall with a reading of “I Have a Dream”, the famous speech by Dr. King that moved the nation. Organizers selected Saginaw native DaTuan Stinson, a 15-year-old student at Bridgeport High School, to fill the shoes of the great orator.
“I feel the events going on today are a great way to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King,” said Stinson. “I think Dr. King’s dream was that all people would have freedom and justice, whether they were white or black or whatever.”
Following Stinson’s recitation the chairman of the events, Daniel Segura, gave a short speech to welcome visitors. Segura spoke about his thoughts on what King’s legacy means today.
“We live in a time where bomb blasts have become routine and gun violence has become rampant,” Segura said. “What better way to speak our values than through positive actions to others?”
To demonstrate that positive action, several performance groups from throughout the region were invited to express solidarity with those still fighting for greater rights.
The Sojourner Truth Community Theater, located in Saginaw, is dedicated to performances that educate audiences about black history and culture. The theater welcomes performers of all ages, races, backgrounds and creeds as long as they’re willing to act. The program’s director, Talata Dorsey, is grateful to have the group perform on campus.
“This is the fourth time we’ve performed at Delta’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations,” said Dorsey. “I think it’s awesome! They have an amazing program every year and they do a great job in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy.”
For Dorsey, it’s about educating younger generations about the impact history still has on our lives. Although the theater focuses on issue relating to African-Americans, Dorsey hopes people of all races will join in on appreciating a good show, with a good message.
“It’s about solidarity not just from African-Americans, but from people who believe in unity and equality for everyone,” said Dorsey. “When we step out and speak out against injustice, not just one race but all races, that’s when change takes place.”
To show solidarity, students, staff and attendees marched in honor of the historic marches that helped define the Civil Rights era. As the procession made its way through the campus, from Founders Hall to the Commons, the Delta College Jazz Choir led participants through a rendition of “We Shall Overcome”, a song famous for its use during the Civil Rights Movement.
Raise It Up Youth!, located in Flint, uses performance and art to empower young people to have a better sense of themselves and their community. Their spoken word team used poetry to honor King, as well as to criticize a society that too often turns its back to oppression and injustice. For Crystal Turner, one of the team’s co-captains and a native of Flint, spoken word gives young people the courage to voice themselves.
“Spoken word gives people the strength to speak out, and tells them that that’s okay,” said Turner. “Spoken word is about finding your voice, finding your freedom and being okay with that.”
Many of the performers and speakers at the celebration called for younger generations to carry King’s dream forward, and become leaders in the ongoing fight for civil rights.