PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Derek Newell People of all races gathered in SUL Friday to discuss the continued struggle for equality.

Alumni Hall resembled what Martin Luther King Jr. discussed in his 'I Have a Dream' speech Friday night. People of all races gathered together to celebrate the continued struggle for equality at the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Jan 26.
The winners of the MLK 'I Have a Dream' Rap Contest were announced. The first, second and third place winners were Ricardo Huizar, Davis Moore, and Gregory Wicker. A CD of all the contestants' entries is in the works and will be for sale at PUC in the future.
The program was centered on the theme 'The Hip-Hop Generation: Living King's Dream'.
"Young people are using language to cut to the heart of [important issues]," Chancellor Howard Cohen said, comparing King's eloquence to the hip-hop generation's political and moral based lyrics.
The event drew in many speakers from campus groups, faculty members and performers from local high schools.
"Peace without justice isn't peace. It's a one sided war," said Sociology Professor Alan Spector, expressing the importance of the fight for justice.
Merrillville High School's Vocal teens sang spiritual hymnals, while rhythmic drumming and dancing were performed by Munster High School's African Drum and Dance Ensemble.
Miranda Mathena, president of the Black Student Union, believes ignoring ideologies and pursing knowledge can help deteriorate social barriers.
"By no means is our work done," said Michael Vega, vice president of the social justice club.
Keynote speaker of the night, Bakari Kitwana, discussed the emerging hip-hop political movement. He feels Americans need to become active in making changes to improve the economy and reform education.
"America is no longer in black and white," said Kitwana.
Kitwana believes the connection of the hip-hop political movement and King's lessons on morality are closely related. Kitwana also stressed the difference between the hip-hop movement from the hip-hop music on stations like MTV.
"The youth have become immobilized through hip-hop art," Kitwana said. "This is an artistic and cultural movement."
Kitwana thinks hip-hop can be turned into a political force; a voice for voiceless millions of Americans suffering from oppression and poverty.

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