Martin Luther King Jr. vigil brings forth unity, community
Participants in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day vigil march past the Doudna Fine Arts Center Monday. The vigil started at the Thomas Hall lobby and went to the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. Union.
January 19, 2015
Nearly 70 individuals walked closely together clutching Styrofoam cups with candles lit on the inside. Small hushed voices sang hymns of “We Shall Overcome” and “Let it Shine” for the Martin Luther King Jr. Vigil and March Monday evening.
Hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the event brought together men and women of all ages and races together. Members from other Greek organizations were also present such as Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, Zeta Phi Beta sorority and many more.
Reginald Thedford and Phillip Love, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity INC. lead the march for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Candle Light Vigil Monday. The men of Alpha Phi Alpha lead the march from Thomas Hall to the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
King was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Members from the different organizations all agreed the commemoration showed unity amongst not only humans of different cultural backgrounds, but also the Greek organizations.
The event also incorporated a praise dance from eight of the Apostolic Christians in Today’s Society Anointed Worshipers. All eight of the women danced and twirled around the stage with emotion.
Ke’Ana Lampkins(Left), Tania Stanford(Middle), and Elizabeth Bailey(Right) perform a praise dance during the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Candle Light Vigil Monday at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union in the Grand Ballroom.
Marlon Williams, Reverend and police officer, gave the keynote address speaking on stereotypes, including his thoughts on the Michael Brown case.
“I was torn as a black man, I was torn as an officer,” Williams said.
Williams said he believes society is disconnected from God because of racism.
“Has Dr. King’s dream really been fulfilled?” Williams questioned.
Toward the end of the night there were two awards given out to those who have made impacts as students and faculty members.
Jalyssa Woodall, a graphic design major, was awarded the Annie C. Singleton award. Nichalas Sanders, an admissions counselor was awarded the Alpha “Image” award.
Phillip Love, the Alpha Phi Alpha president, said the event had a great turnout. To Love, this day meant freedom and equality because King stood for many things. Therefore, having a day to honor King holds a special meaning for him.
Allen Potter, the president of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, said this was the first time he and his organization came to the event.
Potter said King was an important individual to everyone, since he was a key with human rights individual. Potter said his organization also participated in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service earlier, which nearly their entire chapter was present for.
Potter expressed interest in coming out to support members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council for their future events, as well as participating in the next Martin Luther King Jr. Vigil. He said he would like to attend events because it showed Greek Unity and it is a great way for students to get involved with the campus and community.
“It’s definitely something I want to continue,” Potter said.
Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or rlhodge@eiu.edu.
