Under the baobab: Penn State community celebrates MLK amid Trump’s return to office

“Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer ...” Richard III

Congrats to Coach Carolyn Kieger and the Penn State women’s basketball team for their upset win over the No. 9 nationally ranked Ohio State at the Bryce Jordan Center. In an all-around team defense struggle, the Lady Lions grabbed and kept control of the paint in their victory against the previously unbeaten Buckeyes. The men’s basketball team won their 300th game inside BJC by defeating Rutgers and moving into Big Ten playoff contingency. And the juggernaut that is PSU wrestling rolls on undefeated and No. 1 in the nation.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Day Committee memorialized Rev. King and the struggle for civil and human rights with several events under the theme, “Change Continues With Us.” Ironically, at the same time President Trump signed an executive order to reverse birth right citizenship, which undermines the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment is over 150 years old.

One of the Civil War amendments, it was enacted and ratified in 1868 by the people of the United States specifically to help fully emancipate millions of our formerly enslaved ancestors who had been denied not only citizenship but their basic humanity. It is the legal basis of much current human rights legislation. A federal judge temporarily blocked the executive order on birthright citizenship as “blatantly unconstitutional.”

In other resistance, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde used the opportunity of the national prayer service to directly and publicly ask the president to “have mercy on the people of our country who are scared now” and compassion for LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants and refugees fleeing war. Bishop Budde is the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington D.C.

These are difficult and potentially dangerous times, Sisters and Brothers. Back in the day we got through similar times by holding on to each other, burying our fears in songs while keeping our hands on the plow.

On Monday, nearly 600 people, mostly students, gathered in the HUB-Robeson Center to celebrate the MLK A Day of Service, “a day on, not off,” donating four hours of their time to help local and national service and nonprofit agencies. Days earlier, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and MLK Committee member Gary Abdullah kicked off a peace march from MLK Plaza to the HUB-Robeson Center. Evan Williams, director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, sponsored a program, “Rhythms of Change.” Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean College of Liberal Arts, gave the keynote address. He implored folks to stay involved. Unity Christian Campus Choir, Dark Storm, Sir Dominique Jordan and Darnell Roulhac performed.

On Tuesday evening Beverly Daniel Tatum, former president of Spelman College and author, spoke and was interviewed by Jade Bramwell and Derrick Stilley from CLTR CNTRL student organization in the Bellisario College of Communications. Celebrations continued Wednesday with a “Poetry, Prose, and Performance” MLK Tribute. Organized and emceed by Leslie Laing, the event featured performances by Prof. Wilson Okello, Carmin Wong, and Associate Dean Jaime Campbell. The winners of the Alpha Phi Alpha essay contest were announced: 1st place — Madison Jackson, 2nd place — Taylar Simmons and Dillon Williams. There were 22 entries. Dean Lang, Evan Williams, and Trinity Osborne were judges.

And on Friday the Center for the Performing Arts hosted the MLK Choral Tribute which featured: Elevation, Essence of Joy, Hatboro-Horsham High School Madrigals Choir, Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School Concert Choir. The performance was re-dedicated to the life and memory of Anthony Leach.

Elsewhere on campus, the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building was unveiled. It is the first new liberal arts building in 50 years. Sponsored by WGSS, Wanjiru Kareithi, a postdoctoral scholar, presented on “Women’s Leadership and Antiracism: Challenges, Opportunities, and African Perspectives.”

…made glorious Summer. Not yet, hopefully soon, stay strong. Keep the faith.