With a fire-and-brimstone delivery, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie electrified a packed Pease Auditorium, urging those in the audience not to forget the past and reawaken the dream of freedom for all people that Martin Luther King, Jr., preached 40 years ago.
"Have we forgotten the past? Have we forgotten how we got here?" said McKenzie, the keynote speaker for Eastern Michigan University's MLK Day 2005 Celebration Jan. 17. "...Have we forgotten how to stand and speak up, especially for those learning their way?...Perhaps we have not forgotten. Perhaps we just may be asleep at the wheel."
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BISHOP TO KING: Bishop Vashti Murphy
McKenzie makes a point about the legacy
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the
President's Luncheon at the Ypsilanti
Marriott Jan. 17. McKenzie gave an
abbreviated version of her keynote
address, provided in full at Pease
Auditorium later that afternoon.
McKenzie stressed the importance of
remembering King's past efforts in order
to continue his dreams in the future.
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McKenzie, the first female bishop elected in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, reminded the audience that King, too, had to look to the past, mentioning the efforts of the Rev. Nat Turner, in order to change the future.
To hammer the point for the predominately college-age audience, McKenzie pointed out there would be no Barry Bonds without Jackie Robinson or no Shaquille O'Neal without Bill Russell.
"Let us be sure the dream hasn't died on our watch," McKenzie said. "We must join hands to do what our mothers and fathers were not able to do. It is now in our hands. It is our turn at bat. It's up to us whether we hit a home run, bunt and get on base, or not swing the bat at all."
McKenzie continually urged the audience to emulate something positive that has been done before and take it to the next level. McKenzie herself is a pioneer.
On July 11, 200, McKenzie was elected a bishop of AME, the oldest African-American denomination in the United States. The post covers 200 churches and 10,000 members in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland in southeast Africa. In 2004, she became president of the Council of Bishops.
Her book, "Not Without a Struggle," analyzes female leadership in four different cultures and religions. The book also offers leadership counsel specifically for African-American women and includes 10 leadership commandments for women. She also has written "Strength in the Struggle: Leadership Development for Women" and "Journey to the Well."
"All of our yesterdays are certainly preparations for tomorrow," McKenzie implored.
During the President's Luncheon at the Ypsilanti Marriott, a number of awards were presented. James Hawkins, former superintendent of Ypsilanti Public schools; Elizabeth Johnson, an associate professor of education at EMU; and Nora Martin, an EMU emeritus professor of special education; were the recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards.
Corenne Harris, an eighth grade student at West Middle School, was the grand prize winner of the MLK Essay Contest. She received a $200 savings bond. Harris read her essay, "A Tunnel of Hope," to the luncheon crowd.
"Martin Luther king was a great man who stood for freedom; and the tunnel of love he spoke of was a way to freedom," Harris read in concluding her speech.
Awards also were presented at the keynote celebration. Greg Varnum, an EMU student, was presented the Evans-Strand Award, a $1,000 prize that recognizes an individual for significant contributions in advancing the cause of diversity at EMU. Watdell Bradford, a senior from Ypsilanti High School, won the Nora and Lee Martin Award, given to a senior at that high school for their community service efforts. Deanna Arrieta, a senior at Lincoln High School, took home the Margaret Crawford Trailblazer Award. The award is given to a student at that school who has demonstrated excellence in academics and service.
The University's MLK Day celebration — which began Jan. 12 and included more than 25 events — concluded with a march and candlelight walk on campus.
