Students attend MLK commemorative forum
   Despite the sparsely populated crowd at the Martin Luther King Jr. Forum, most people in attendance said they understood its message clearly.
The MLK Commemorative Committee invited community members who answer King’s call to action by helping better others’ lives to serve as forum panelists.
“I wish there would have been a greater turnout,” said Daphne LaSalle, MLK Forum co chairperson. “The speakers were highly educated and enthusiastic about the work they do. It was a good discussion, but it would have been a better discussion with more people.”
Forum panelists included: Michael Johnson, spokesperson for Developmental Disabilities; LeeAnne LaMotte, high school junior who has won awards for service; Donald North, Southern University professor; the Rev. Mary Moody; Almenia Warren, executive director for Young Emerging Leaders of Louisiana and Rep. Sharon Weston Broome.
“There are a lot of people in the Baton Rouge community making a difference,” said Linda Smith Griffin, MLK Commemorative Committee co-adviser. “It was important to get a good mixture of various types of individuals who were out doing work in the community. It wasn’t too hard to select the panelists.”
Moderator Melody Robinson posed the question “How are you answering King’s call to action?” to the panelists and allowed each to respond.
“My motivation is like Dr. King’s; it is a calling,” said Rep. Sharon Broome. “My motivation and my drive for public service is rooted and grounded in my personal conviction that your care for others is the true measure of grace.”
Panelists used examples from their lives to show how they are attempting to exemplify King’s message.
“When I first volunteered at a local elementary school, it was the beginning of my life,” Johnson said. “I’ve learned that even though I have a learning handicap, I can still help others through service.”
LaMotte said her gift of music has helped her answer the calling to give back to the community.
“Music is something that can enforce a more positive message,” she said. “It teaches people to have vision and to work to the top.”
Some students said they came to hear the community leaders’ message and how it related to King.
“I think they had a lot of interesting information, but they didn’t have a lot of publicity about the event,” said Courtney Thomas, a zoology junior. “I’m sure anything that enriches communication or provides enlightenment is something King would have wanted.”
Other students said they valued the opportunity to attend the forum.
“[Being here] meant I had an opportunity to have my voice heard as a future leader of tomorrow because of the example the leaders of today set,” said Ron Thomas, Southern University student.
Diette Courrege