2008 Woodie Awards
The Greyhound Editorial:Dr. King, Justice, and the City
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Opinion
The name of Dr. Eddie Glaude, the William S. Tod Professor of Religion at Princeton University may not ring familiar to Loyola students' ears, but his speech at the 15th MLK Convocation last Thursday night unequivocally cured that ill for the fortunate few in attendance. Thursday's event celebrated luminary civil rights leader, Dr. King, and with adeptly chosen quotations, glowing language, and expressive gestures, Glaude presented King's message in challenging context. Loyola take notice, it is not a black and white world we live in.
Leaders and laymen alike often overlook the complexity of King's life and work. King gave his life for what he believed, but it was not as simple as martyrdom, according to Glaude. King doubted and he feared. The constant threat of violence sapped his strength, but struggle hardened his resolve and that of those who struggled with him. Too many of the nation's leaders have looked on King's story and concluded the struggle realized with Johnson's passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Conclusions like this seem farcical, even irresponsible, when you consider the Baltimore that lies in Loyola's backyard. The mission is not accomplished, and our understanding of it is now only evolving to where we can comprehend where we find ourselves today.
Glaude's convocation speech reminds us of the goals set forward during the "Year of the City," the College's 2006 effort to expand its visibility and charity into Baltimore's neighborhoods. Nevertheless, The Greyhound poses the question: What happened to Loyola's "Year of the City?" Mission accomplished or struggle outstanding? In the year following 2006-2007's push to bring a reluctant Baltimore into Loyola's embrace, we have heard little of the College's once golden child. The goals aspired to by Y.O.T.C. take longer than one year to realize, and like this nation's continuing struggle to realize civil justice, it takes sustained effort to achieve these hopes.
Moreover, if part of Y.O.T.C. was meant to expose students to Baltimore, we must also ask ourselves whether students do in fact know Baltimore beyond York Road bars. And if not, what does it say that Y.O.T.C. has all but disappeared? Has Loyola's effort to know Baltimore been abandoned, and if so, why? Glaude called for a prophetic generation to lead the struggle for civil justice to realization. Perhaps we should consider a "Generation of the City" to carry the College beyond its comfort zone, and into Baltimore City for good.
Leaders and laymen alike often overlook the complexity of King's life and work. King gave his life for what he believed, but it was not as simple as martyrdom, according to Glaude. King doubted and he feared. The constant threat of violence sapped his strength, but struggle hardened his resolve and that of those who struggled with him. Too many of the nation's leaders have looked on King's story and concluded the struggle realized with Johnson's passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Conclusions like this seem farcical, even irresponsible, when you consider the Baltimore that lies in Loyola's backyard. The mission is not accomplished, and our understanding of it is now only evolving to where we can comprehend where we find ourselves today.
Glaude's convocation speech reminds us of the goals set forward during the "Year of the City," the College's 2006 effort to expand its visibility and charity into Baltimore's neighborhoods. Nevertheless, The Greyhound poses the question: What happened to Loyola's "Year of the City?" Mission accomplished or struggle outstanding? In the year following 2006-2007's push to bring a reluctant Baltimore into Loyola's embrace, we have heard little of the College's once golden child. The goals aspired to by Y.O.T.C. take longer than one year to realize, and like this nation's continuing struggle to realize civil justice, it takes sustained effort to achieve these hopes.
Moreover, if part of Y.O.T.C. was meant to expose students to Baltimore, we must also ask ourselves whether students do in fact know Baltimore beyond York Road bars. And if not, what does it say that Y.O.T.C. has all but disappeared? Has Loyola's effort to know Baltimore been abandoned, and if so, why? Glaude called for a prophetic generation to lead the struggle for civil justice to realization. Perhaps we should consider a "Generation of the City" to carry the College beyond its comfort zone, and into Baltimore City for good.
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