In the near-packed 1,200-seat Union Theater, African Americans outnumbered every other race to hear Kweisi Mfume, president and chief executive officer of the NAACP.
However, Mfume’s message at the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program Wednesday night did not focus on racial injustices alone but rather the duty every American has to fulfill the dreams of the nation’s founders.
“We have by no means achieved perfect harmony,” Mfume said. “… King would want us to remember that differences in race, differences in religion and differences in nationality have produced ugly alienation instead of harmony. But I have not given up on the American dream or the American possibility, and I ask you to not either.”
Reinye Bridges, NAACP LSU chapter president, said she believed a more diverse crowd did not attend the program because the NAACP’s purpose is misunderstood.
“Because of its history, people think the NAACP is just for African Americans,” she said. “But, colored actually stands for all backgrounds and cultures, and its our job to begin getting that message across.”
Despite Mfume’s highly noted career path, some people have clouded notions of his official role, said Katrice Albert, assistant director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“Although Dr. King stood for racial equality and the ending of desegregation, and he did that alongside many races and ethnicities, I’m not sure the University realizes Mr. Mfume’s status in trying to uphold that legacy,” she said. “Some students may see his role in that position as a role to only lead African Americans, and that is a myth.”
Student Government President Patrick McCune said he wishes more people would attend multicultural events such as the program.
“I think it’s sad that a more diverse part of the student body didn’t attend this tonight,” he said. “… I have a whole new perspective on African American culture. I love being here as a part of the minority.”
Mfume said speaking to students is a special opportunity because young people began many movements and changes in American history.
“I guess I could have been a lot of other places tonight, but I recognize that this is a student body so full of potential that I would be remiss if I didn’t come,” he said.
Tia Gipson, overall MLK Commemorative Committee chairperson, said the committee chose Mfume in part because of his prestige and recognition as a significant leader in American society.
“We wanted someone of the same caliber as last year that would leave an impression and a sense of purpose,” she said. “We wanted people to actually learn something and make them want to come back next year.”
Last year, the MLK Commemorative Committee invited Johnetta Cole, former and first African-American president of Spelman College and professor at Emory University in Atlanta.
Some students said they came from the program with Mfume’s message to work for a better society.
“The main point of what he was saying was that we have a lot more issues to deal with as a country, and we need to take Sept. 11 as a wake up call,” said Anundra Martin, a human resources junior. “I think growing up as an African American, you are classified as something you are not. You’re not viewed on equal footing. Dr. King to me is equality and justice — an inspiration.”
Chantelle Galentine, an accounting sophomore, said the program inspired her to want to make a difference.
“I wish more people could have come to hear [Mfume’] message because it probably changed a lot of people’s lives that heard it,” she said.