From the President: "The Fierce Urgency of Now" — Honoring Dr. King

"We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice."

CWU will be hosting an event to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the SURC Theatre on Thursday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m.

- Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear CWU Community,

When Dr. King spoke these words during his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial sixty years ago this year, he issued a charge to us all: That peace must endure over violence, and we must remain ever vigilant in our pursuit of racial justice and equality.

In his book Across that Bridge, the late Congressman and Civil Rights leader John Lewis speaks about social movements as milestones, and he illuminates the choice we must make in the enduring tension between good and evil. He asks, "Every generation leaves behind a legacy. What that legacy will be is determined by the people of that generation. What legacy do you want to leave behind?"

Our work must remain fierce and urgent; now is our legacy moment as members of the Central Washington University community. Indeed, the realization of our vision to be a model learning community of equity and belonging must form the core of our actions and decisions in creating an even brighter tomorrow for CWU; a responsibility so important that the lives of future generations-people whose families have long faced barriers to opportunity-will be transformed by our work today.

The responsibility Dr. King and Congressman Lewis speak about does not stop at the workplace. In our homes and communities, we carry the important responsibility to pursue peace, love, and justice for all. Dr. King's philosophy of non-violent resistance and his embodiment of public service inspire us to do acts of good both large and small. As a "Day On; Not a Day Off," MLK Day offers us an opportunity to give back to our community and recommit to organizations and causes that advance the public good. Serve Washington offers a great resource on ways to serve others through volunteerism and community engagement.

To honor the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., please join the CWU community for a remembrance event on Thursday, January 12, in the SURC Theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m. This event will feature live music by Melany Peterson and Dr. T. Andre Feagan. We are also fortunate to welcome back CWU alumnus Anthony Peterson from OIC of Washington to deliver keynote remarks. Special thanks to Mal Stewman and the Diversity and Equity Center staff for organizing this event as we commit to learning and reflection for the purpose of creating change.

Let us continue to find direction and inspiration from Dr. King's incredible legacy as we create our own at Central Washington University and in our homes and communities.

Sincerely,

A. James Wohlpart
President