Michael Strickland - TheJHub.com

Right now I am on a laptop in the Idaho State University student union. Honoring this civil rights icon and his message has me inspired. So I am putting off my afternoon errands to do a bit of writing.

As one participant put it, the weather outside is cold, but the attitudes at ISU, and in Pocatello, are warm.

I saw several people there who carry the spirit of Martin Luther King well: the usual smiles and upbeat responses were appreciated as I interacted with Associate Dean of Students James Yizar, Vice President for Student Affairs Lee Lee Krehbiel , TRIO Director Mike Echanis, and Director of Diversity Buddy Frazier.

Farhana Hibbert, Regional Director for the office of U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, was in attendance and was a pleasure as usual.

Special thanks are also due to Brandy Egertson for her great article in the ISU Bengal about the variety of speakers and events this month for the Human Rights Celebration. I marched alongside Brandy at last year's MLK march in Pocatello. Andy taylor and the Idaho State Department of University Relations did a good job of getting the information on the internet, to the press, and to out-of-towners who showed interest.

This afternoon, marchers assembled at the northeast corner of Holt Arena and journeyed to the Pond Student Union Building, where a program was held in the Bengal Theater. A bus provided by the City of Pocatello Transportation Department transported individuals wishing to participate but unable to march. I counted more than 70 adults and over a dozen children who stayed afterward for the program.

The keynote address from Dr. Linwood Vereen, ISU counseling assistant professor, was sincere, heartfelt, and deeply moving. Vereen weaved world history, spirituality, and the many good things about traditional American culture into a powerful message about why it is imporatnt fo all of us to be involved in civil rights. He urged participants to get involved in their community.

During the audio presentation of one of Dr. King’s writings, I was struck by how, no matter how many times I hear something from him, a new message or phrase always sticks out. This time, I picked up how King, when discussing dealings with the brutal and vicious police forceof Chief Bull Connor in Birmingham, AL, said: "I always tell people to keep their backs up .. becuase a man can only ride you when you are bent over."

The event was sponsored by the following ISU entities: Office of Student Affairs, Diversity Resource Center, Multicultural Committee, College Chapter of the NAACP and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

For more information, contact the Diversity Resource Center at 282-3142 or rogekay@isu.edu.tonight at the Pond Student Union.

The Pocatello NAACP dinner will take place in about an hour and a haIf, here in the student union. The keynote speaker is Roy L. Collins III, associate general counsel at Idaho State University. I will be there to eat soul food, see some friends, and hopefully to set an example for those who care about justice and equal opportunity for all human beings.