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| Savannah State University administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. |
Greetings Tiger family:
This Monday, January 17th, Savannah State University joins the
nation in honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., beloved father, pastor
and leader of the American civil rights movement. We pause every year to rightfully
remember his life, and reflect upon the service and sacrifice of the many who
fought alongside Dr. King, as well as those who continue to this day to fight
for justice and equality for all.
Sixty-two years ago, Dr. King gave an address titled “Keep Moving from This
Mountain.” Although our society has progressed a great deal since that speech, many
of the injustices we combat today are sadly the same ones Dr. King protested against
more than six decades ago. As we bear
witness to many in our community being marginalized and discounted, still
battling for equal justice, let us always remember the profound words of Reverend
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
Now education has a great role to play at this point. You see, education has a two-fold function. The one is utility and the other culture. Education must give an individual efficiency, but it must also humanize the individual. On the one hand education must give us the power to concentrate, the faculty for intensive thinking; this is a basic function of education. On the other hand, education must help us to think critically. And so education helps to lift an individual from the bondage of legends and half truths to the unfettered realm of objective analysis and creative appraisal. If an individual can’t think critically he really isn’t educated.
As a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), now more than ever, it is
important for us to keep Dr. King’s dream alive. It is incumbent upon us to
continue to create a more educated citizenry, to fight for equality and
opportunity for all and to recognize the important role we play in building a
more just society. We must stand resolute in our convictions and speak out
against violence and hatred. When faced
with the challenges of discord and division, we must keep advancing towards
equality through education. Sixty years
later, I urge you to heed the words of Dr. King: “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t
walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.”
Savannah State University remains at the forefront of educating future
community and world leaders, those who will be charged with the opportunity and
honor of taking up the mantle to continue Dr. King’s work. We recognize that,
as an HBCU, we are required to heed the words of Dr. King and use our gifts and
talents to make a positive impact on the world now, as well as in the
generations to come.
I encourage you to take this opportunity to respond to Dr. King’s call to
action by participating in the many events organized to unite and uplift the
community today.
Together, let's continue to move forward and use this as a "day on, not a
day off."
Kimberly
Ballard-Washington
President
Savannah State University