On Alumni of Color Weekend, The King Legacy Remembered

Author: Jasmin Johnson and Nicha Rakpanichmanee

Sunday, Jan. 20: Chapel Service

Warm light flooded Mead Chapel on a snowy Sunday morning. Approximately 80 alumni, students, staff, faculty and community members gathered for a service to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate the Alumni of Color Weekend.

The service began solemnly with hymns and prayers. Francois Clemmons, Twilight Artist-in-Residence, led the Middlebury College Choir through King's favorite hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand."

After College Chaplain Laurel Jordan's prayer, guest preacher Reverend S. Isaiah Harvin stepped onto the pulpit. From the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C., Isaiah Harvin brought insightful words as well as good humor.

Harvin alluded to the Civil Rights Movement in his sermon's theme of "separate but equal." However, revising the phrase within contemporary context, Isaiah framed the notion in a positive light. "As long as we all have a reason for being here, we are separate but equal," he said. He further emphasized everyone's need of each other.

Provoking more thought on King's fight for racial equality, Isaiah noted that the church is "one of the most segregated institutions" in today's society. He encouraged unity while noting, "Blacks go to one church; whites to one; Asians to their own. And on Monday morning, everybody goes to school with a different religious experience."

One could feel a change of mood as Harvin concluded his sermon and as the sun made way across the zenith. "The Peace" was passed around afterward: the congregation rose and wished each other—strangers and friends—peace and love.

The Choir then sang "The Storm is Passing Over" while Harvin joined in with spontaneous hallelujahs.

College Organist Emory Fanning drew the service to an end with a postlude hymn. Old friends greeted one another afterwards. Jake Nicholson '05, who woke up early to attend the service, was "touched" by Harvin's sermon. "The church needs more people like him," added Nicholson. "This is the most people I've seen in church since convocation."

Damon Haynes '93 was on his annual visit back on campus for the Alumni of Color Weekend. "The sermon was very applicable and very direct," he remarked. "It was also a good message that everyone needs to put into practice."

Monday, Jan. 21: Prayer Breakfast

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed." Martin Luther King Jr.'s quotation was inscribed on bookmarks distributed at the Prayer Breakfast, courtesy of the African American Alliance.

The fourth consecutive Prayer Breakfast in honor of King was sponsored by Ross Commons. The McCullough Social Space was filled with solemn spirit and hundreds of alumni, students, staff, faculty and community members.

After a spread of muffins, croissants, fruit salad and other savories, Athenia Fisher '04 gave an informal welcoming address, representing the Ross Commons Council in warming the crowd on King's birthday. College Chaplain Laurel Jordan followed with the invocation.

"[The invocation] was meaningful," said Reverend Johanna Nichols, pastor of the Congregational Universalist Church in Middlebury. She was one of the many community members who wokeup early to attend this special event. She said that she had a keen interest in King's life and work.

A musical tribute by self-described "diva" Clemmons followed. He sang "Higher Ground" with Reverend Thomas Dorsey, who had been a great influence to black gospel music. Clemmons' rich and soulful voice rang across the room, as he seemed to effortlessly sing the hymn.

Before he began, Clemmons talked about his treasured personal encounter with King. Clemmons remembered being the enthusiastic youth who admired King so much he could "never stop talking." King told him to "keep on keeping on."

Middlebury Minority Research Fellow Sholomo Levy '86 gave the faculty address. Entitled "The Mind of Martin Luther King Jr.," his speech set out to provide a "new perspective" on King, in addition to the more publicized aspects. Levy presented many peculiar and less well-known facts about King to emphasize that the legendary activist was not just a media personality.

King had been very much a scholar and an academic in thoughts and actions, despite being very occupied with other matters. Almost all the chairs in the room had been turned to face Levy in this captivating speech.

Chigozie Ogwuebu '02 and Melissa Camilo '04 read two pieces with calm and poignant voices that moved some audience members to tears. Camilo read an "apocalyptic" speech, which King made shortly before his assassination. While longevity did "have its place" in his heart, said King, his priority was to serve the people by staying in his course.

The Middlebury College Choir performed a musical tribute, with joint participation from members of Clemmons' Winter Term class, the Negro Spiritual. Mariana Mujica, a community member, mesmerized the crowd with her passionate and powerful voice in "This Little Light of Mine," backed by the choir.

Choir members sang a few more spirituals and then the benediction, which Associate Chaplain and Rabbi Ira Schiffer read aloud as well. As the Prayer Breakfast ended, crowds lingered in discussion.

Other Events on Monday, Jan. 21

A similar crowd of alumni, students, staff, faculty and community members attended the afternoon lecture and film viewing of "Men of Bronze." Lifelong researcher of African-American history, William Milies produced and directed this award-winning documentary.

The hour-long film followed the black soldiers of the 369th United States Regiment to their historical World War I fight in France and back home.Miles shared memories and inspirations with his audience afterwards, and also attended a informal dinner at the Cook Commons Dining Hall.

Posters from the Civil Rights era, King's books and magazines from the 1960s were showcased on the Juice Bar Stage at McCullough. Accompanying the presentation was a video of King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.