By Emily GlazerThe Daily NorthWwestern
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Clarence Page urged a crowd of about 850 students, faculty and Evanston residents at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall Monday afternoon to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to understand that people of any age can accompllish great feats.
Page, a columnist and member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, interjected references to popular culture and sports – from Dave Chappelle to Michael Jackson.
But he also emphasized the seriousness of King’s message and how there is still progress to be made.
“There was more to King than desegregating buses,” he said. “He tackled the great problems of our country. … (But) the challenge for justice goes on.”
Page, the afternoon keynote speaker in Northwestern’s first year to cancel classes all day in honor of King, drew from his personal experiences during the civil rights movement.
He said he once was confounded by a water fountain labeled “colored” that dispensed only clear water.
“That was the first day I heard the word ‘segregation,'” he said.
Page told attendees to spend the day examining what King did in his short life and how they can learn from him.
“The true purpose is to study a legacy and see where we go from here,” he said.
He quoted King’s “I’ve Been To The Mountain Top” speech and later his well-known “I Have a Dream” oratory, placing emphasis on the line “they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
But Page told students to remember not only King’s legacy, but also those of others who are leading the movement for social justice, such as Barack Obama, because there still is not a cure for what he called the “disease of segregation.”
“There are social and economic inequalities and disparities that still continue today, ” Page said.
The speech resonated with SESP junior Ocea Emmons, who also performed at the event with the Northwestern Community Ensemble.
“I perform every year and I usually don’t remember the speaker. It says a lot that I’ll remember (Page),” she said. “His speech was strong and profound and captured what freedom means.”
Communication senior Alex Lofton said he has attended the celebration every year because “it’s a good time for me to reflect.”
“Honestly, I thought it was refreshing,” he said, “(even though) the words that were spoken (are ones) we’ve all heard our entire lives.”
Marissa Jackson, Weinberg ’06, agreed that Page left a lasting impact.
“He might have been the best speaker I’ve ever heard,” she said. “He was funny, lively and the most profound.”
Reach Emily Glazer at [email protected].
