Dear Loyola community,
Sixty years ago, on a hot summer day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial. Spurred on by New Orleans gospel artist Mahalia Jackson, he dropped his planned speech midstream. He chose to speak from the heart. What burst forth were the words, “I have a dream.”
He shared a vision, one rooted in the American dream, that one day children of all backgrounds would walk hand in hand, and people would be judged not by their color, or their backgrounds, but the content of their characters. He called for an end to racism in a defining moment that would spur on the civil rights movement and ultimately help to end segregation.
His 15-minute speech at the March on Washington (like many of those that came before and after it) was a call to arms that inspired legions of everyday people to become everyday heroes.
People like Rosa Parks. People like New Orleanians Dr. Norman C. Francis, Judge Calvin Johnson, and Mayor Moon Landrieu. People like me and you.
His speech was one of hope, one that reminded people not to despair, that somehow their situation could and would be changed — that the crooked places in their lives would be made straighter.
Across the nation, and here on our campus, people joined the fight for integration. Seeking truth and justice, they set out for change, not knowing what would happen or whether they might succeed. (Many likely believed the odds were stacked against them.)
Today, we celebrate the courage and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as those who worked alongside him and continue to work today to make the world a more just place. They showed us through their work that change is possible but progress is not inevitable. It’s up to us to make a difference.
At Loyola, we want to equip our entire community with the tools and support they need to use their God-given talents to make the world a better place. I encourage you to reflect upon the work of Dr. King this week and think about how you can honor his courage and heroism as you make your own mark on the world.
Gratefully,
Justin Daffron, SJ
Interim President
Kedrick Perry, PhD
Vice President for Equity & Inclusion
