There was a sense of community in the SC Performing Arts Center on Jan. 15 as students, faculty and community members came together to celebrate the life of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and joined in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

The audience enjoyed performances from many students, including the LT Steppers. The Steppers performed an educational number about the history of step cultural and  how long it has been a part of many peoples’ lives.

The performances promoted unity and love as well as encouragement. Victor Metzger ‘19 gave a speech titled “Visualize The Dream,” in which he quoted King saying “man must evolve for all human conflict, a method which rejects aggression, rejects revenge and rejects retaliation.”

“This quote directs us as individuals and collectively to reject retaliation, reject aggression and reject hatred no matter how much we’ve felt we have been marginalized or left behind,” Metzger said.

Brandon Jackson ‘18, a composition student at Berklee College of Music, came back to perform violin arrangements and a special tribute he wrote called “For The Lost.” Constantly seeing negative events such as fighting and death on the news encouraged Jackson to write this song. He said that he dedicated this song to a friend of his who commited suicide in high school.

Guests from the Neighborhood United Methodist Church in Maywood were in attendance. Colion Wesley Green and Gerald Hayes, musical directors from the church, played piano tributes as well as taught the difference between gospel and spiritual music. Hayes said that it’s only right that people celebrate King with music because as a pastor he loved music.

Daniel McCarthy, an LT paraeducator, provided the audience with insight into King’s life and also encouraged people to think about others with his emphasis on the quote “let justice roll down like waters.”

“The one dream that we can all hold in common is the dream of justice, that someday justice will be done to us and to our fellow beings,” McCarthy said.

After McCarthy’s speech, guest speaker Rev. Dr. Geneace Williams was welcomed to the stage by Black and Multicultural club sponsor Elizabeth Watkins. Williams was grateful for the opportunity to speak at the event and to honor King. Williams highlighted all that King did for people in the past and all that people are still doing today to fight for justice and honor people who have fought for justice.

“Some will give a day of service to those whose fight and cause echo in a world where human dignity and common good aren’t always so kind,” Williams said.