The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered as the Kappa Nu chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity hosted a candlelight vigil for the late Dr. King on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Traditionally, the vigil follows a march starting at St. Tammany Hall, where it comes to a close in the War Memorial Student Union, where the vigil itself is held. Due to weather conditions, the march was cancelled, but crowds of students still came out to pay their respects to the civil rights leader. The gathering consisted of about 50 students, along with several faculty members.
Before and after the observation, God’s Chosen Gospel Choir played various musical selections, such as “This Little Light of Mine,” and “We Shall Overcome,” songs that would set the tone of the gathering the rest of the night. After the choir finished their musical pieces the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha performed a hymn. The gathering progressed upstairs, into the Student Union Annex, where a speech on the importance of the black male in society was given by Ron Austin, an established lawyer in New Orleans, and also a Southeastern alumnus and brother of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Austin began the speech with the words that made King so famous: “I have a dream.”
“It’s a great pleasure for me to be here tonight,” said Austin. “I’m an SLU alumnus, class of ’92, member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, it’s a pleasure to come speak on Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. Dr. King meant so much to me personally in my life,” said Austin.
He then proceeded to analyze the significance of that speech, before moving on to a poem entitled “The Man Who Thinks He Can,” by Walter Wintle. The speech, along with the poem, invoked enthusiasm throughout the crowd. While the speech was on black males in society, Austin also pointed out the significance of a realistic role model in society, as compared to an athlete or celebrity.
“Denzel Washington is a man among men, [but] he should not be your child’s role model,” said Austin.
The speech rounded out with God’s Chosen Gospel Choir singing their rendition of “Because of Who You Are,” and closing remarks by Cardarrius Murphy, president of the Kappa Nu Chapter.
After the speech, students were not at a loss for words, the majority of which were motivating.
“I thought it was very good, I felt like a lot of people should’ve came out so they can hear the message, but I feel like it’s a good message for young black Americans that they should hear what happened with Martin Luther King because he was a great man, and he had a lot of courage, and that’s what a lot of young men need today,” said sophomore Sociology major Braylen Hamilton.
After the speech, Austin showed no regret for donating some of his time to deliver the speech.