On May 15, 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation unconstitutional in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans. This ruling came at a pivotal moment in the battle for civil rights and helped pave the way for numerous opportunities for African-Americans in the battle for equality.
From the marble steps in Washington, D.C., the edict came down to the woods of Western Kentucky, and our Murray State College, as it was known at the time, opened its doors to people of color. Mary Ford Holland enrolled at Murray State, becoming the first African American student here, and she was soon joined by Geneva Arnold, Bobby Brandon, Arlene Keys, and Willie Earl Perry.
On the golden anniversary of the desegregation of Murray State, we remembered the first freedom fighters as we honored that year’s graduates; for without Mary Ford Holland, we would not be here today. Just as the early pioneers carved trails into the forbidding American wilderness, Nancy Tyler Demartra, the first African-American graduate, forged the path for other students of color at Murray State. This was made possible by the tireless efforts and ultimate sacrifice of 1964 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Martin Luther King Jr., whom we honor with a National Day of Service through community projects and activities across the country.
Dr. King had a vision that we could live in a world that judged people on the things they could control versus the things they could not. This is the interpretation of his famous quote, “I have a dream this afternoon that my four little children will not come up in the same young days that I came up within, but they will be judged on the basis of the content of their character, not the color of their skin.”
Dr. King spent his life seeking common ground, where people from all segments of life could collaboratively address the major social issues facing the nation. His work inspired a civil rights movement that was founded on diversity and inclusion. He believed it was important to speak out on injustice and inequality everywhere. And while Dr. King would surely be encouraged by the strides we have made as a nation relative to diversity, I believe he would be somewhat discouraged with our progress on economic inequality. The final moments of his life were spent speaking out for fair pay and working conditions for African American sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn.
Dr. King stated, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Ask yourself these questions. Where will you speak and where will you remain silent? Does economic inequality matter? Does racism matter? Does sexism matter? Does homophobia matter? Does equal pay for equal work matter? Does bullying matter? Does education matter?
I challenge you now as Dr. King did then, not to be silent. I challenge you to speak out against injustice at home and abroad. And most importantly, I challenge you to put your talents to use in this struggle through service to your community.
The Day of Service is a way to put your voice into action by “paying it forward” in your local community. Join the efforts of people all over the county through service projects and activities that empower us to engage in efforts that build positive partnerships in our communities. Let’s make everyday a day of service and commit ourselves to participate in ongoing dialogue and activities on diversity and inclusion.
Letter from SG Carthell, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs
