As Vanessa Moodie and her children marched, they began singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Before long an entourage of people—Blacks, whites, and others—had joined in."Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on."
They were part of a crowd walking across Brigham Young University's campus as part of Walk of Life, an event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Moodie walked with her two children, Brianna, 8, and Justin, 12. "I wanted them to understand how important this is," she said. "I was amazed to hear this happens here because I heard a couple of years ago this state didn't even recognize the Martin Luther King holiday."
The Moodies moved to the United States from Jamaica about five years ago and moved to Springville this summer. "The struggle of my people is something that's very close and dear to my heart," she said.
The state Legislature began its annual session Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and is one of nine out of 40 legislatures in session in the country to work on the holiday. "The action by the Legislature today shows you the attitude toward such an important person who has done so much for unity, which is something we all say we stand for," Moodie said. "On the other hand, I believe that the greatest changes start with small and simple things, and then like a ripple it just spreads out and does its work."
The Black Student Union led the activities, with choir performances, a recitation of King's "I Have a Dream" speech and guest speakers.BYU law professor Marguerite Drissen said while it's good to honor King and others who came before and after him, it's also important to look forward.
"Yes, let us look back, but don't only look back. Look forward to what you want the world to be when you've been gone 30 years, or 40 years, or 50 years," she said. "Go out and be a participant in the dialogue, be a part of the activities."
Drissen said Rosa Parks did not consider herself a hero, and that a small action at a crucial moment can be powerful.
"Heroes are people who do simple things at the moment of decision."
But she encouraged harmony. "It's a whole lot easier to correct someone with a smile than a right hook."
Michael Styles, Utah Director of Black Affairs and Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, said the state's role in sheltering Hurricane Katrina victims reminded him of King's dream. "We might be a homogenous community, but we're an inclusive and loving community, and that's how I know the dream is alive."He said it would be better if not only diversity, but unity, was so ingrained in society that our country didn't need just one day to celebrate it. "Shouldn't this be something we're committed to 365 days a year?"
He encouraged students to not only share the dream, but to act. "It's incumbent upon all of you young folks out here to keep pursuing the dream."