Article and Photos by Jacob Rueda
People march north along 1300 East toward Kingsbury Hall
On a cold but sunny January afternoon on January 15, 2024, a sizeable crowd gathered at the East High School auditorium in Salt Lake City, Utah for a rally and march commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event was hosted by the University of Utah's office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
People arriving at the East High Auditorium before the rally and march.
Starting with an improv jazz performance, the rally featured guest speakers talking about the work and impact of Dr. King, who received his doctorate in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955, and the significance of the holiday given the current social and political climate in the United States.
Following the rally, the crowd marched from the auditorium to Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah where they were greeted with cookies and hot chocolate. Those who marched were invited to watch a performance by the Step Afrika! dance company.
A LEGISLATIVE CHALLANGE TO KING'S LEGACY
Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a holiday in 1983 when President Ronald Reagan signed a bill marking the holiday into law. Reagan opposed the idea at first, citing an FBI investigation which suspected King of being a communist sympathizer. Fast forward 41 years and the now-federal holiday is observed in a nation that is more polarized than it's ever been.
Misconceptions abound regarding the instruction of Critical Race Theory, the concept that racism is embedded institutionally in American laws. Likewise, states across the U.S. are passing bills altering historical education in schools, with some condemning the contribution from people of color to American society as "woke indoctrination."
In Utah, House Bill 261 aims to prohibit "an institution of higher education, the public education system, and a governmental employer from taking certain actions and engaging in discriminatory practices."
In essence, the bill, which is currently in the state's legislature being debated, would prohibit schools in Utah from enacting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives which the bill's authors deem "discriminatory."
“This legislation aims to support all students and faculty while promoting an environment of free, diverse and open opinions,” said bill sponsor Katy Hall in a statement.
The move comes after last year's Supreme Court decision to strike down affirmative action programs in higher education in the case of Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. In light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the thought of eliminating equity and diversity programs seen as "discriminatory" by some lawmakers caused some people to voice their opposition to such legislation.
"As we look back on the strides that we've made in pursuit of justice and equality, we must also acknowledge the distance we have yet to travel," said Rep. Sandra Hollins, a Democrat representing District 21, during a speech in the East High School auditorium.
Hollins spoke of actions taken in the past by people who opposed oppressive laws. She also made reference to efforts made by some lawmakers across the country to limit or alter historical education.
"We're going to make sure that our children continue to be educated about the true history of America," she said.
Meligha Garfield, the director of the University of Utah's Black Cultural Center who attended the rally, said revising history is not only harmful to people's understanding of community, but it is especially harmful to future leadership.
"In order to see where we're headed as a country," he said, "We must absolutely understand what has happened before us."
Meligha Garfield, Director of the University of Utah's Black Cultural Center
Some people at the rally saw efforts by Utah lawmakers who wish to limit historical education and clamp down further on inclusion and equity programs as unfortunate. However, they said there is the opportunity for optimism in the face of such limitation.
"I think that we can rise above that by talking about it among our peers and among our circles," said Brynlee, a young woman starting college in the fall. "It doesn't have to be a conversation that's closed just because the schools aren't teaching about it anymore."
Others agreed, adding that discussion and education go hand in hand.
"There are a lot of kids, specifically here, who aren't taught [history] by their parents and need to learn from other sources," said Crew, a college-aged man who attended the march with Brynlee.
The Black Physicians of Utah organization pose for a picture during the march.
WHEN PEOPLE OF COLOR DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE
Despite positive recognition of Dr. King's life, impact, and legacy, not all people of color accept the idea of communal existence with others. The idea of such communal existence was central in Dr. King's messages to the public.
In light of that message, some who attended the rally said it's people's right to believe and accept what they want.
"We have the right to see differently, to disagree, to not all monolithically be under the same thing," said Keith Embray, a former football player and current Executive and Athletic Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Utah.
He also said that while it is possible those people may not see what Dr. King said as representative of who they are, what they learned throughout may need revision at some point.
"I always say we all see the world through our own lenses," Embray said, "And those lenses are based on our education, access to information, and our experiences. But the interesting thing is though, if you do have to wear glasses every year, you're supposed to go get a checkup on your prescription. And what I will say is, we got some folks that need to checkup on their prescription."
On the way to Kingsbury Hall.
Embray emphasized the need for respect in spite of their difference of opinion.
"This is a human being. This is another person that may not see the same way that I do," he said.
Garfield with the Black Cultural Center said equitable and expanded education of all cultures in the U.S. was key in helping people understand the context of Dr. King's message.
"All of these different groups are a part of American history," he said, "If we forget that, then we're forgetting what America is at its heart."
People arriving at Kingsbury Hall.
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