Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The following is the text of an email sent on January 11, 2024.

Today, we celebrate the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. We celebrate those who have stood up to injustice and made change possible, and those who continue to stand for what is right. We also celebrate those who will lead us into a brighter future, where all are treated with respect & love and where diversity, equity, and inclusion can, finally, be taken as granted.

We have come a long way, thanks to the work of Dr. King and so many others. But we still have a long road to walk. As long as there is injustice in this world—and there is much injustice—we cannot be complacent. As a school of public health, we have a charge to educate and serve. We have a responsibility to address the inequities in our communities. We have the power to be the agents of change. Today, as we celebrate Dr. King, let us recognize that the struggle is not over. The work he started is not yet complete. It will take all of us, working together, overcoming ignorance with education, to bring light to the darkness. As Dr. King said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

"For me, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a reminder that we have an obligation to be agents of change in advancing equity, opportunity, and excellence in all aspects of American life," says Charlie Nelms, vice president emeritus of Indiana University. "We dishonor the work of Dr. King Jr. and the other warriors of social justice when we fail to use our voices and resources to be purveyors of hope for historically disenfranchised peoples.

"MLK Day is not just another holiday!" he adds. "Rather, it is an opportunity for each of us to renew our commitment to make the world a better place for all of humankind."

When we are faced with challenges, let us follow in Dr. King’s footsteps. Dr. King not only spoke of high principles; he lived those principles. On September 28, 1962, Dr. King was speaking at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s annual convention in Birmingham, Alabama. Among the audience of 300 sat Roy James, a young member of the American Nazi party. James came to the conference that day looking for a fight. Upon hearing the news that Sammy Davis, Jr., a Black man who had recently married a white woman, would be singing at an upcoming benefit, James, enraged, jumped onto the stage and punched the reverend. Dr. King took the punch, staggered but remained standing, and remained calm, refusing to let others respond with violence. Dr. King then spoke with James, calmed him down, and, ultimately, chose not to press charges. What stood out to everyone in attendance that day, including James, was Dr. King’s ability to practice what he preached, to walk the walk of nonviolence. That is courage. That is leadership. That is humanity.

Lift up your eyes upon

This day breaking for you.

Give birth again

To the dream.

–Maya Angelou, from "The Rock Cries Out to Us Today, 1993

When we are faced with insensitivity, let us respond with grace, and when we are ourselves insensitive, let us own our mistakes and learn from them. When we say something hurtful or uninformed, we can choose to welcome feedback—we can choose to open our minds and be educated. We can ask for forgiveness just as we can forgive others when they are insensitive and give offense. Let us learn humility and teach kindness through our own actions.

In celebrating the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the man, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us be grateful for the opportunity we have, as scholars and scientists, as teachers and students, as citizens of Bloomington and of the world, to walk in his footsteps, to fight for justice, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, and to continue to make a difference, locally and globally.

Thank you,

Jerono P. Rotich, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Organizational Climate, Inclusion, and Belonging

David B. Allison, Ph.D.
Dean