“A long, long way to go…” Then and Now, Penn State History and MLK Day

January 20th, 2014

By: Sarah Boha

“My basic theme for the evening, is that we have come a long, long way in the struggle for racial justice, but, we have a long, long way to go before the problem is solved.”  On January 21^st, 1965, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before 8,000 people at Recreation Hall on the Penn State University Campus and laid out the theme of his address.  Dr. King’s visit to the university and speech were an effort to draw national attention to voting rights reforms to prevent discrimination against African Americans.  On August 6^th of the same year, 1965, his campaigning and life’s work attributed to Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voter’s Rights Act of 1965. 

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking to a crowd at Penn State’s Rec Hall, January 21^st, 1965.

On a personal note, I’m ashamed to say, as an Alumni and resident of State College since 2005, that I wasn’t aware that Dr. Martin Luther King made a historical visit to the university until recently.  I was present and a matriculating student in 2008 when Barack Obama made his historic visit to the Penn State University Park Campus and I got to shake hands with Chelsea Clinton when she made her stop at PSU during that same campaign year.  Bill Clinton, Martha Stewart, even Coretta Scott King herself enjoyed ice cream at the Penn State Creamery -- All landmark visits that I was familiar with thanks to a tour of the university with the Penn State Lion Ambassadors prior to the commencement of my studies.  They never mentioned Dr. King’s speech at the Rec Hall in 1965.   

Perhaps, I was too engrossed in the writings that flourished in the Harlem Renaissance or the works of the metaphysical poets of the 17^th century to notice the historical marker the Penn State Alumni Association placed in front of the Rec Hall in 2006 commemorating the Reverend Doctor’s visit.  Regardless of the reason for not knowing this remarkable moment in Penn State history, I recently had a “better late than never” epiphany and delved into learning everything I could about MLK’s speech to the university. 

Historical marker located outside of Penn State’s Rec Hall, commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech in 1965.

In my search I found great resources in Penn State affiliated websites, one completely dedicated to an annual commemoration of MLK day at the university and another which has the entire speech for anyone to read over.  If you’re local to the area, I would recommend visiting, http://mlk.psu.edu/, for events going on this week on Penn State’s campus.  On Wednesday, January 22^nd, at Schwab Auditorium, Penn State will hold its annual key note address commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King.  This year, 2014, Penn State will welcome Angela Davis, Social Equality Activist and Author, in an address titled, “Reflect on yesterday.  Experience today.  Transform tomorrow.”  For more information about the keynote speaker and reserving tickets to the 29^th Annual Commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Penn State, visit,  http://mlk.psu.edu/2014-keynote-speaker/.  Penn State will also have many events occurring the week of MLK Day, including a chance to hear an audio broadcast of Martin Luther King’s speech at Rec Hall on MLK Day at the Paterno Library (see http://mlk.psu.edu/schedule-of-events/, for a full list of events, their dates, times and locations). 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech at Penn State, upon reading its entirety, is representative of standing up for change in the midst of adversity and differing opinions.  The speech canonizes the American spirit and parallels Penn State University’s revolutionary approach to research in every field of study.  If you live in the area, are a Penn State football fan or are an Alumni of the university and you haven’t read Dr. King’s speech at Penn State in 1965, take a few moments this Martin Luther King Day and read a speech that is relevant to American history and local history as well. 

To read Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech at Penn State University on January 21^st, 1965 please visit,  http://www.psu.edu/ur/extra/2003/mlk/.