By Kyle Kern Staff writer
The month of January is often a time to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Jan. 26, Susquehanna hosted a Winter Convocation celebrating the life of Dr. King and vocalizing the struggle of various groups in society. The event took place in Degenstein Campus Center Theater.
Before the event started, jazz, funk, gospel and mixes of the various types of music were played to entertain the crowd. Sophomore Christian Coleman opened the program and introduced Susquehanna President L. Jay Lemons.
Lemons said he was glad to see all the seats filled in the theater including those in the balcony. He was overjoyed at this fact, because at the same event in 2001, Lemons was one of around 11 people in attendance.
With a few words of tribute to Dr. King, Lemons passed the spotlight to Harmonic Combustion, the acapella group on campus. The group asked everyone to stand up and sing along. Everyone sang a song titled “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with Harmonic Combustion.
Upon the completion of the song, University Chaplain Scott Kershner was welcomed onstage. He reflected on who Dr. King was and what he stood for. Kershner touched upon the topic of religious affairs like the Winter Convocation. He said that most are referred to as a very conservative force. However, there is another side that speaks of social justice and compassion.
He quoted Luke 1:52, which says, “He has cast down the mighty from thrones and has raised up the lowly.”
Kershner spoke of the work done by Harriet Tubman and John Brown, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Rosa Parks, Reverend Abraham and of course Dr. King, but he emphasized that there is work still to be done toward the goal of equality, fairness and justice for everyone. He also added that we must reflect and be aware of the fact that there are “many thousands that struggle for a stable place in society today.”
The next speaker to the stage was junior Jessica Ram, who read to the audience her poem about stereotypes, fairness, equality and the future. It included a message about equal and fair opportunities for all people in the world.
Junior Zach Kane said: “Ram’s poetry was, as always, great. I love her poetry.” Senior Alassane Coulibaly introduced the artists Reverend Sekou and the Holy Ghost.
Rev. Sekou and the Holy Ghost performed soulful jazz and inspiring gospel music. Through songs of gospel, jazz and funk, the group brought voice to the movement of equality and justice.
At one point in the performance, Harmonic Combustion was invited to perform onstage with the group.
Junior Eric Martine and Kane did not believe words did the event justice. They said, “[Our] hands hurt from clapping, legs hurt from standing and jumping, but [our] hearts and souls are jumping for joy.”
The event ended with sophomore Yazmin Swain closing the event with a thank-you to the faculty, staff and students who had helped to put together the event and a thank-you to Rev. Sekou and the Holy Ghost for their inspiring words and songs. Afterward there was a CD signing in the Center for Intercultural and Community Engagement in the basement of Degenstein Campus Center.
