As music and song filled Sursa Hall Thursday, a message rang out above it all. The night was an event of celebration and remembrance in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many students and staff members participated through music selection and listened respectfully while excerpts of interviews were read from Muncie residents living during the Civil Rights Movement.
Ball State University history professor Anthony Edmonds was one of the residents interviewed.
"I think it is very important for academics to try to reach audiences from the wider local community and share whatever expertise they might possess," he said in explaining his reason for participating.
In his book, "Ball State University: An Interpretive History," Edmonds writes about the Civil Rights Movement at Ball State.
In that day, black students faced numerous discriminations from poor housing to lack of campus activities. While Muncie was not at the core of the Civil Rights Movement, students did hold a number of marches and protests, Edmonds said in his book. Edmonds specifically cited one of these peaceful protests in his interview excerpt, reading directly from his own book.
"On 2 February 1968, black protest became concrete. A special convocation was held that day to honor President Emens, who was retiring. During the event, ‘approximately fifty' black students ‘walked out of Emens Auditorium just as President Emens was about to speak.'"
Edmonds stressed the point that the Civil Rights Movement was part of United States history.
"Ideally, Americans believe that our country should be open to people trying to escape oppression and that all rights should be guaranteed regardless of race, gender, or religion," he said. "Sadly, for much of our history, this openness has not been true for many African-Americans. The Civil Rights Movement was instrumental in breaking down barriers erected to keep African-Americans second-class citizens in parts of the U.S."
MarTeze Hammonds was also a participant at the concert. Hammonds is the assistant director of the Multicultural Center on campus where he works on planning programs, advising student organizations and finding unique ways to reach and bring awareness to all cultures throughout Ball State's campus, he said.
That night, Hammonds sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "We've Come This Far By Faith". During "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the audience rose to their feet and many joined in.
"This is a song that is also known as the Black National Anthem and has been a major symbol of the Civil Rights Movement," he said. "Just as many people rise and sing the National Anthem out of respect for their country, it has been tradition and custom that African-Americans do the same towards this song."
Hammonds said that he had expected nothing else.
"I knew that many of the audience members would stand and sing. It's natural for most of them and some stood out of respect to those standing, me singing and the journey and meaning behind the song."
The Multicultural Center has many more events planned in honor of Martin Luther King. On Tuesday, Hammonds said the Multicultural Center and the Office of Institutional Diversity are sponsoring Rev. Joseph Lowery, the "dean of the Civil Rights Movement," who worked side by side with Martin Luther King, Jr. He will speak at 7 p.m. in Pruis Hall.
"I hope students learn the importance of why Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been recognized as an icon and influence within America...not just black America. I want students to understand that MLK Day is not a free day off, but should be a day of service and reflection of how many Americans were treated," Hammonds said.
The final question asked to the interviewees was about change and whether or not they thought it had come to Muncie. Edmonds said that he felt that, in respect to civil and political rights, the Civil Rights Movement had succeeded in its mission.
"Is racism dead? Obviously not," Edmonds said. "Is there complete equality of opportunity in the economic sphere? No, but certainly more so than in 1955. I wish I knew what needed to change. It may be that the hearts of many need some more nudging toward the great American ideal that all men are created equal."
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