"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dear MDC family,
On Monday, January 18, we pause as a College and join the nation in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year’s commemoration could not be timelier following the events at the Capitol last week and with the upcoming inauguration.
As a day of reflection and service that honors the civil right leader’s legacy, we should all take this time to celebrate Dr. King as a champion of peaceful protest and opposition. He was a model of courage and nonviolent actions in the face of opposition and the eloquent use of language as a powerful and dynamic tool to encourage peace. His commitment to justice and equality was unwavering.
While we have come far as a nation with the election of America’s first female, first black, and first South Asian vice president as a very positive example, recent history has demonstrated that much work remains to be done to unite our nation and move us away from division and tolerance to acceptance and respect.
Throughout the past year and during the first days of this year, we have experienced some of the most challenging times in our collective history. However, these moments also show the firm determination and resilience in all of us, our ability to show kindness and compassion, and serve neighbors in need. These times have also shown that social justice and equality must prevail for all, especially for people of color.
In the spirit of Dr. King, let us reflect on his message and restore unity here in our community and across the nation as we heal and treat each other respectfully even when our opinions differ.
From events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the 1963 March on Washington and beyond, Dr. King practiced the idea of changemaking long before it was a concept and took all possible measures to put his values into practice with a focus on creating positive changes in the world. The late U.S. Representative and “Conscience of the Congress,” John Lewis once said "Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."
Miami Dade College is committed to further embedding changemaking into who we are and what we do. This year, we will again honor Dr. King’s memory by engaging in discussion and service to our community with several upcoming events:
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“Lessons of Service and Action: Fulfilling MLK’s Legacy Today”
Date: Friday, January 15, 2021
Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
A conversation with community leader Valencia Gunder (2019 Miami New Times Activist of the Year and director of The Smile Trust) and MDC student leaders honors Dr. King’s legacy with inspiring stories of servant leadership that remind us why service is at the core of an empowered citizenry.
This event is organized and led by the IDEA Center, iCED (Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy), Student Life, and CESI (Changemaking Education and Social Innovation). Register here. -
“The State of Homelessness in Miami”
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
Ron Book, Chairman of the Homeless Trust, and two formerly homeless individuals help the MDC community understand homelessness more deeply and how each of us can make a difference. This event is organized and led by the Homeless Trust, iCED, and Student Life. Register here. -
iCED also has MLK-related volunteer opportunities (virtual and in-person) and related resources to learn more and get involved. Email mlk@mdc.edu for more information.
Dr. King showed that even small steps can have big effects. I encourage everyone to participate in one of these initiatives or create a project to celebrate his vision and selfless spirit. Let us take this opportunity to reflect on our collective mission to serve and its significance in the world we live in while committing to do our part to make social justice for individuals and communities here and across our nation a reality for all. In his words, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Be safe and be well.
Madeline
Madeline Pumariega
President
Miami Dade College | 
