Knox College commemorated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its annual King Day Convocation with speeches, music, and poetry that highlighted themes of equality, leadership, and justice.

Magali Roy-Fequiere, associate professor and chair of Gender and Women's Studies, opened the event on January 15 by welcoming everyone who had come together "to reflect and reaffirm Dr. King's vision of ‘the beloved community.'"

After the Knox College Choir performed two songs under the direction of Diana Saez, visiting director of the choir and Chamber Singers, President Teresa Amott praised the performance, saying: "Thank you for bringing some harmony into these un-harmonious times."

President Amott noted that King, toward the end of his life, worked ever more urgently for economic justice and against economic inequality. His writings showed his deep understanding of the "political and economic interconnectedness of all peoples."

There is "an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." she said, quoting the words of the slain civil rights leader.

She described today's students as "carrying on the full spectrum of Dr. King's legacy," and they are determined to eradicate violence, bigotry, and exploitation.

In a talk titled "This Is What Leadership Looks Like," Knox faculty member Konrad Hamilton spoke of King as a leader who can serve as a role model for today's young people.

"There are a number of great eras in American history. We are not currently living in one of them," said Hamilton, Burkhardt Distinguished Associate Professor of History.

"Cheer up. All is not lost," he said, adding that history teaches us that nothing is permanent, and human societies are always in flux.

"When we celebrate Martin Luther King, we are not simply reflecting upon one person. We are looking at how America once was, in order to think about what we want to make America in the future," Hamilton said. King had a goal of a society in which racial oppression would be impossible, and he was pushing America to "reimagine itself with a new social contract."

In additional remarks, Visiting Instructor of Africana Studies Kwame Zulu Shabazz offered some words of encouragement. "Young people, you have the power to transform this messed-up nation, if you accept that challenge," he said.

Convocation speakers noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of ABLE (Allied Blacks for Liberty & Equality), a student organization that promotes cultural awareness in the Knox and Galesburg communities by raising issues that impact people of African descent.

In addition, Africana Studies Professor Fred Hord pointed out that Knox's Africana Studies program started in 1988 and is marking its 30th anniversary.

The 2018 King Day Convocation concluded with a series of poems. Hord read his work, "Mountain Tops," and student Maria Francesca Downs ‘19 read poems written by Thomas Sayers Ellis and Jamila Woods.

(Photos above: Konrad Hamilton, Knox College Choir, and Maria Francesca Downs)