The Voice

Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: Inside WCC

Media Credit: Ed Francis Audience members at the celebration link arms and sway to the music.

WCC staff and students gathered along with other community members in the Morris Lawrence building Jan. 19 for the African American Student Association's Martin Luther King celebration. The event was held to honor King's legacy and celebrate him as a community, said AASA Advisor Aveia Morris.

His birthday was commemorated with music, dancing, and speeches on a variety of topics, from peace to struggle.

With the WCC Jazz Ensemble providing music and Gerald Williamson acting as a master of ceremonies, the celebration was full of laughter and energy. The audience swayed and clapped to the music, which included Sade's "Kiss of Life" and Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You."

Speakers included President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Ypsilanti/Willow Run Chapter Mildred Williams, Ypsilanti City Council Members Lois Richardson and Trudy Swanson, WCC student Fieyon Haywood, and WCC instructors Tom Zimmerman and Thornton Perkins.

Media Credit: Ed Francis Jennifer Jackson, John Lawrence, and Thornton Perkins perform to a full house.

Their words about struggle, hope, love, peace, dedication, and outcome were met with enthusiastic applause and shouts of agreement.

There was also a performance by 10-year-old Rashawn Walls, who danced to the gospel song "God is Here." He got a standing ovation, and there were several cries of "Hallelujah!"

Another well-received performance was that of Abraham Baker and Estilito Diaz. Baker played the piano as Diaz sang Bill Withers' "Lean on Me." Many clapped to the beat, and some sang along in the audience.

Those present seemed to place great value as a community on celebrating Dr. King. Kelly Laframboise, who studies African history at Eastern Michigan University and WCC, took her three children out of school so they could attend.

"I think it should be done more, on a grander scale," she said.

Zach Baker, who is studying secondary education at WCC, echoed her sentiment.

"If anything I think we should do more," he said. "To me, Martin Luther King simply was the greatest American that ever lived."

This is the first time the AASA has hosted an MLK celebration of this kind, according to AASA Advisor Morris. The students, she explained, thought it was important to acknowledge King in this way. "We felt we owed him that respect," she said.

AASA Vice President DeVaughn Swanson revealed that the association had been working since before winter break to put together the event. "I think it turned out great," he said afterward. "The AASA has worked so hard."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools