MLK Day prelude to Black History Month celebration at UIU
FAYETTE, Iowa (January 22, 2008) -- "Where I'm from, schools are cancelled; everyone has the day off; and there are picnics and parades," remarked Miami, Florida native Daryl Savage about Martin Luther King (MLK) Day. "The whole city gets involved, and it's been like that every year since it was declared a national holiday."
Savage is an Upper .jpg "UIU alumnus Daryl Savage designed the MLK T-shirt graphic for sale during Black History Month at Upper Iowa University.")
Iowa University (UIU) alumnus, who holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design, and is still connected to the Fayette campus working as an assistant for the Peacock football team and on his master's in public administration through UIU's online program. Since Savage designed the MLK Day T-Shirt last year for UIU's Office of Student Development (OSD) to sell during Black History Month, they asked him to do it again.
Finding a photo of Dr. King was no problem states Savage, but trying to choose one of his quotes was a bit more difficult. "I picked out quotes that I thought had real meaning, and then asked people which were their favorite," he said. "They answered ‘all of them' because each has its own unique meaning." So to solve the dilemma, Savage used one photo design but with six different quotes.
Several of Dr. King's quotes used were: "We are not the makers of history; we are made by history." "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."
MLK Day is the prelude to the Black History Month celebration on UIU's Fayette campus. Beta Phi Omega fraternity did a reenactment of the key points in Martin Luther King's life for fellow students Monday night, Jan. 21, in Garbee Hall. The live performance included a reenactment of Martin Luther King's college days, his famous "I have a dream" speech, and his ordination as a Baptist minister. A video loop about black history was also played during the day in the snack bar area of Garbee Hall for all students to view.
Frat member Chris Bauknight said, "It's not just about Martin Luther King, it's about how he brought the message of peace to the world to stop racism." Bauknight added, "I wanted to be involved because Dr. King inspired me, but it's good for all black students everywhere to be involved in this day."
UIU Director of Student Activities Daryl Grove will be selling the T-shirts during February in OSD at $5 each until they run out. Other activities planned for Black History Month include Soulfège, an Afropolitan fusion band, on Tuesday, Feb. 5 in the East Café at 7:00 p.m.; a special Black History Month meal in the cafeteria; and a van trip to the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 20.
"Cultural celebrations give students the opportunity to view and understand more about the differences of other people," said Grove. "Understanding these differences is crucial to personal and community growth, so students can develop a respect and open-mindedness toward others."
For more information about Upper Iowa University and its degree programs or student activities, go to www.uiu.edu.