Students, faculty observe King’s vision

We see it in the national debate about affirmative action.

It simmers underneath the investigation into the death of a handcuffed black man at the hands of Louisville police.

The race-relations struggle continues to plague life in the United States. And though the particulars may have changed, Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of equality and acceptance is as vibrant today as it was five decades ago.

Recognizing this, a diverse sampling of Western students and faculty participated in last Monday’s MLK Day march. They resisted the urge to play away a day that was free from the rigors of college life and instead focused on easing the rigors of American life.

Sure, it was only one day. The challenge is to keep King’s dream alive every day.

And simply attending an MLK march or program doesn’t necessarily demonstrate a true dedication to the furthering of King’s cause.

But how many of us did nothing on MLK Day?

The Western representatives who publicly observed the holiday deserve credit for their small part in pushing King’s message to the front, if only for a few hours.

We’ve got much more work to do as a campus and nation before King’s vision is fully realized. But every little bit helps.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 10-member board of student editors.