UNITY WEEK

With this being a week of Unity here at Ball State University, The Multicultural Center and the Office of Institutional Diversity sponsored a couple organizations. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr, there was a presentation held in Pruis Hall at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Joseph Lowery presents "Civil Rights: Now and Then". Rev. Joseph Lowery is a legendary leader of the American civil rights movement as co-founder, with Martin Luther King Jr., of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

I had chosen this activity to attend because I enjoy listening to talented speakers, I find them very interesting and that you always learn something new.

We were all treated to a small gift, as we walked into Pruis Hall on January 19, they were passing out water bottles at the door that said “Culture Shock. Unity Week 2010”. As I walked into the large lecture hall I was surprises to see all the people that where there. We were welcomed by an opening choir of about 28 members known as the Voices of Triumph, who sang loud and proud. We were informed that tonight occurs on the eve of the one-year anniversary of his rousing benediction to close the inauguration ceremonies for President Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American chief executive.

After a couple opening speakers Joseph Lowery finally took the stage. He was an older man, 88 years of age, and you could tell he was full of love. As he spoke he kept the interest of the crowd, and had us all laughing. Joseph Lowery is a very gifted man, who has many achievements. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) with its lifetime achievement award, which hailed him as the "dean of the civil rights movement." He has been at the heart of the civil rights movement for more than half a century. In addition to his civil rights work, Lowery was a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 45 years. Lowery continues to press for social justice on many fronts. He has made a difference in our world, and it was an honor to listen to him talk.