Written by Melissa Burgess/Staff writer
This year marks FIU’s 27th annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In honor of Dr. King, the Department of Multicultural Programs and Services and committee members from different departments of the University including the Black Student Union and Student Government, have organized a variety of events inspired by Dr.King’s lifelong dedication to equality and peace.
This year, the University will be participating in the 40th annual MLK parade on Jan. 16 in Liberty City.
Leading FIU in the parade will be University President Mark B. Rosenberg along with Roary, FIU ROTC, FIU Marching Band, Black Student Union, Cheerleaders, Dazzlers, Athletes and Greek Organizations.
While some march and others walk, some of the students and administrators will be riding in a float to represent the FIU community.
“FIU brings in the largest contingency of students, faculty, families and members of the local community at the parade bringing in over 200 participants each year,” said Dorrett Sawyers, Director for the office of Multicultural Programs and Services and committee chairperson.
Jeffrey McNamee, the associate director for MPAS says that FIU participating in the parade goes hand in hand with their mission to promote diversity and social justice to FIU and the local south Florida community.
“For our students, this parade is university pride. This is FIU showing what we can give back to our community. This parade is like a step into social activism especially in this parade where people are standing up for the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King,” said McNamee.
The parade kicks off at 11am and takes place along NW 54th Street from NW 12th Ave to NW 32nd Ave.
Since 2012, MPAS has provided free buses for students to attend the parade.
The buses will be located in Lot 5. Buses arrive on campus at 7:30am and leave to the parade site at 8am.
“We encourage everyone in the FIU community to attend the parade. We need the support of our students. We want to make sure that our local community knows that FIU cares about their students,” she said. “When you look at the demographics of FIU, more than 60% of students are Hispanic and a lot of times, students from other ethnicities may feel like FIU is not their university. FIU needs to have a presence in our community to reassure them that FIU is their public institution. Our black community needs to know that FIU is here, and if we’re going to be worlds ahead, we have to embrace our local community.”
Jasmine Chaney, an FIU alumni who attended the parade two years ago with her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, said that the parade was a great way for the community to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.
“As an African American woman, I was taught that if you don’t know your past how can you know your future if you don’t know your history. I think it’s important as a community to remind people that he stood for something and coming together to celebrate him is a beautiful thing,” said Chaney.
Travis Stokes, the Parking and Transportation Manager at FIU, says that MLK day is not just a day off but rather a day to celebrate Dr. King.
“At FIU, we are such a melting pot of diversity that this parade has become the fiber within our fabric,” said Stokes.
Sawyer says that it’s important to work together as a community to keep Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream alive.
“We need to advocate the spirit of Dr. King. We need to continue on our journey to advocate social issues and we are not where we need to be yet. We have made some great strives but we have a lot to go. It means a lot to me to keep his dream alive.” Sawers said “We see what’s happening in our world and in our local communities and we see that we still have work to do. It challenges us to keep the dream alive and work harder so that his dream can be reached,”
Students are not just encouraged to go to parade but also to attend the other events that start next week. Moreover, those who can are encouraged to donate what they can for events of this nature in the future, and for the provisions the university’s organizations make available for students to access higher education.
“Dr. King’s message is timeless and it always seems relevant every time we prepare these activities. There’s always something new and relevant to pull from his speeches. His message fits with what FIU is trying to be, which is being worlds ahead together. Who knows who is going to follow the footsteps of Dr. King, but it would be awesome if it was a FIU student!” said McNamee.
Photo Courtoisie of Creative Commons.
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