Monday, January 21 marked not only the inauguration of President Barack Obama for his second term in office, but also the birth of a great leader: Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To mark this day, BU hosted the fourth Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Lecture, held in BU’s Metcalf Ballroom. Several speakers shared wise words, including Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center director Vita Paladino, actor and BU student Hampton Fluker, BU professor Walter Fluker, and BU General Counsel member Willis Wong.
If the audience could take one thing away from this lecture, it would be that we, as people, must be agents of social change. We must not only possess and foster dreams, but also turn those dreams into actions.
“Dreams are seeds of change,” Forest Whitaker stated at Monday’s lecture. Whitaker, an internationally known social activist as well as Academy Award-winning actor, delivered a moving speech on the trials and tribulations we face in our world. He stressed the importance of bringing change where it is needed and our role, as individuals, in creating that change.
The Howard Gotlieb Center here at BU houses a collection of Mr. Whitaker’s work. He was chosen to lecture by the Center as he embodies the words of BU alumnus Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Mr. Whitaker has worked in film, as well as in social and political platforms for change, possessing a fervor for activism similar to that of MLK.
During his lecture, Whitaker emphasized the importance of human strength — specifically in strength of spirit and character. Like Dr. King, Whitaker believes in action and courage, rather than complacency, timidity, and idleness. Whitaker spoke of campaigning for Obama and of his travels in Africa. In sharing his experiences, he alluded to the potential of dreams and to the potential of us, as people.
Whitaker referenced his upbringing in central Los Angeles, surrounded by gang violence, and the long road to get where he is today as an African American actor. Mr. Whitaker has not forgotten those who struggle, though. He makes sincere efforts toward achieving peace and advocates for those who are oppressed and marginalized in our world. Whitaker works to bring attention to today’s prejudices.
In his speech, Whitaker recognized Barack Obama’s role in helping American people to realize their agency, their role in their own futures. He nodded to Martin Luther King, Jr. for setting a stage for social change. Whitaker assured the audience of the potential and power of the individual, regardless of the struggles ahead. He encouraged America to “express their needs and wants” through the political election processes, to take action to change our communities. Whitaker argued that, with such access to making increased global connections, the time for change is now. Today, he said, is the day to hope, dream, and achieve.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Lecture was held by the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center on Monday, January 21 at 4 p.m. in the Metcalf Trustee Ballroom.
