 "Photo: Willie Pace/Echo staff photographer")
 "Photo: Ashley Griffin/Echo staff photographer")
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the MLK Day Convocation was held last Thursday in the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
The convocation was held to honor the life of King by speaking on his work as well as honor students and friends of N.C. Central University who have accomplished similar great things in their lives.
"We are not merely acknowledging Dr. King's birthday on this campus in this community," said Carlton Wilson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts who addressed the audience.
"We take this opportunity to further educate both the young and the not so young about the social context of what Dr. King and others endured in order to create a fair, a more gentle and kind America," he said.
Wilson also said that we all will realize how important it is to continue to be vigilant and to protect what has been gained.
The dean said that the occasion presents everyone with an opportunity to motivate themselves to renew their commitment to social justice, civic engagement and service.
Wilson was not the only person who spoke on Dr. King working to create a better America.
Congressman David Price (D – NC, 4th District) presented the keynote address due to the absence of Representative John Lewis (D – Ga.) who was unable to attend due to the recent snow storm.
During his address, Congressman Price discussed how Rep. Lewis was the best person to speak about the life and work of Dr. King because of the many things he did alongside the slain civil rights leader.
According to Congressman Price, Rep. Lewis' historical knowledge, proximity, shared vision, inspiration and leadership of the (civil rights) movement would have contributed additional information about the legacy of Dr. King.
Due to the amount of work Rep. Lewis has done to affect change President Obama will be awarding him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom –– the highest honor a civilian can receive.
Congressman Price spoke about the shooting in Tucson, Arizona saying that it was unfortunate that it occurred on the eve of the Dr. King observance.
"This falls as a solemn remembrance of our country's past which each year we hope and believe will make us and our country better," said Price.
The Congressman ended his address by using some words from Dr. King's final speech to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1967 in which he suggested what needs to be done to affect change in the world.
"What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive. Love without power can be sentimental and anemic," quoted Price.
Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love," he said.
"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!"-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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