Students used their talents — including dancing and rapping — to interpret Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of unity Friday night in the Union.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted the annual Martin Luther King Commemorative Poetry Night and performers focused on topics ranging from politics, race and war to religion and AIDS.
“Everyone knows Martin Luther King for his great speeches, and he was a great orator,” said Patrice Hammond, coordinator for academics and multicultural programming for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “This gives them a chance to express the message and movement of Dr. King through arts.”
The performer known as “The Omega Prodigal Son” rapped a message of racial unity.
“Death never did care about color,” he rapped. He said poetry night is important for every student to attend.
The event brings people together and increases racial awareness, he said.
“To look past color barriers is beautiful,” he said.
Following a dance by the African Queens, whose members are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, performers recited the beginning of the “I Have a Dream Speech” in four different languages — English, French, Swahili and Yoruba.
“His movement was everywhere,” said Angelique Ngandu-Ntumba, an international studies senior and member of African Queens. “As an African, I know he did a lot of things for races everywhere.”
Gissella Carvajal, a political science freshman, said the theme of King’s birthday should be celebrated year-round. “It shouldn’t happen just because of one day, his birthday, to have people come together,” she said.
Marquesa Washington, an accounting student, said unity is as important today as it was during King’s lifetime. “It shows we are willing to change and unite,” she said. “We need to unite in these times.”