Knox College hosted its annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18 with a convocation that included musical performances, poetry readings, and an address that focused on King's belief in social justice.

Convocation opened with two spirituals performed by the Knox College Choir and directed by Laura Lane, professor of music.

In her opening remarks, Knox College President Teresa Amott spoke of Knox community's commitment to the ideals for which Dr. King sacrificed his life. "Those of us who live on college campuses today are privileged to witness and participate in the vibrant new movement for human rights. Networking nationally, today's students are carrying on the work of Dr. King, determined to eradicate violence, bigotry and exploitation based on race, gender, class, nationality, and religion."

In his address "Building with Creative Tension: The Protest Movement of Martin Luther King Jr." Burkhardt Distinguished Chair of History Konrad Hamilton told students that while the details are different, the fundamental problem of trying to achieve social justice in a world of obstacles remains the same as those faced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Each new generation of Americans has a choice to make. The challenges of social justice are never solved forever. Victories of the past are not set in stone. The members of each generation must decide for yourselves what kind of country you want, what sacrifices you are willing to make, what risks you are willing to take in order to create that country."

In addition to Hamilton, Kwame Zulu Shabazz, visiting instructor in Africana studies, spoke of "The Colorblind Problem: How the Refusal to See Race Undermines Social Justice."

"I envision a time when my blackness won't matter and race won't matter, but we're a long way from that," said Shabazz. "That's not going to happen in our lifetime. We have to keep going in that direction, but we can't get there by pretending, as if color doesn't exist."

Fred Hord, professor of Africana Studies read his poem "Our Lives Mutter." Students Frencesca Downs '19, Catlin Watts '16, and Nicole Hunter '16 also read poetry selections.

Top of page, Burkhardt Distinguished Chair of History Konrad Hamilton gives the convocation address in Harbach Theatre. Below, the Knox College Choir performs, Visiting Instructor in Africana Studies Kwame Zulu Shabazz speaks of the colorblind problem, and Francesca Downs '19 reads the poem "Lesson one."