Statement from Dr. Leslie Frere

Statement from Dr. Leslie Frere

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

As arguably the most recognized and prolific leader of the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his passion and commitment to integrity, equality, service, and community–all of which form the foundation upon which Bridgewater College was created. Dr. King’s emphasis on peace and unity is an important message to us all, and remains as relevant today as it was over half a century ago.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where he delivered his famous, “I Have a Dream,” speech during the Aug. 28, 1963, march on Washington, D.C.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where he delivered his famous, “I Have a Dream,” speech during the Aug. 28, 1963, march on Washington, D.C.

It has been more than 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered remarks about The Other America. We are living in a time when we simultaneously must consider how much we have changed in those 50 long years and yet how far we have still to go. Dr. King noted during these now prescient remarks, “This Other America has a daily ugliness about it that constantly transforms the ebulliency of hope into the fatigue of despair.” How many of us resonate with the truth of that sentiment today? How often do we allow our differences and disagreements to extinguish hope and to dictate our divisions? Is this our dream for America? I believe as Dr. King did: We are an America that can overcome the ugliness that creates division.

Part of Dr. King’s message is that we are all one community. As such, it is critical we make the effort to look and feel a little more deeply. Will you join us in our march toward embracing our collective values? A march toward achieving harmony through discord and disagreement and varied perspectives; toward truth through examination, exploration, and understanding; toward beauty through appreciation for all people and all their gifts; and toward goodness, by continually striving to do what is moral and ethical, acting with integrity and fidelity to our whole community. It is our intention that pausing and considering the legacy and teachings of Dr. King will encourage our campus and town community to more fully embrace these values.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, D.C. The inspiration for the memorial design is a line from King’s “I Have A Dream” speech: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”

I would like to personally invite you to join us in honoring the legacy and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. via our community march, with a reception and workshop immediately following, in addition to exhibitions and a lecture. All are welcome. And may we grow in community together.

In Peace,

Leslie

 

Contact

Dr. Robert Bryant | 540-828-5749 | rbryant@bridgewater.edu