In less than 40 minutes, Ball State University students caught a glimpse of what took more than 40 years to make President Barack Obama's inauguration possible Tuesday.
Students watched a four-minute segment of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The speech was self-proclaimed by King as the capstone of the greatest civil rights event the United States has ever seen.
The discussion was organized by Unity Week volunteers and conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pruis Hall.
Panelists at Tuesday's inaugural discussion panel said King's speech led to Obama's oath of office as he stood on the U.S. Capital steps and was sworn into the Oval Office as he faced Lincoln's statue.
Sharon Love, assistant professor of criminal justice & criminology, was a panelist for the event. She called Obama's inauguration the greatest civil rights achievement since King delivered his speech in 1963.
"Four hundred years ago, this wasn't supposed to be. Four hundred years ago, blacks were brought to this country as slaves. Four hundred years ago, there wasn't much hope," Love said. "Today some say there still isn't much hope, but there is."
Karl Beeler, dean of students, followed his dialogue, saying that what the student said was proof of King's dream coming to fruition.
"People talk about whether MLK's dream has been fulfilled," Beeler said as he turned around to look at the student. "I was just sitting there thinking, America just elected a Black president based on the content of his character."
Senior Tameka Williams approached the microphone, saying she also felt compelled to speak about Obama's message. Growing up as an African American, Williams said she doubted there ever being a Black president and that she was still in shock because it had happened.
"[Obama] has lifted a lot of bowed heads," Williams said. "There isn't anything that I can't do, or that my family can't do or that our nation can't do."
Panelist Micah Maxwell, who worked on Gov. Mitch Daniels campaign to increase minority outreach, told students to continue the spirit of Obama's campaign on to their daily lives.
"We have just witnessed one of the greatest achievements in the history of our country," Maxwell said. "So relax, exhale and celebrate."
Unity weekSponsored by the Unity Week Committee.
- Thursday: Human Race Machine, Atrium
- Friday: Diversity Dance Revolution, 7-10 p.m. Irving Gym
- Saturday: Unity Pageant, 3 p.m. Pruis Hall ($3 in advance, $5 at the door)
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