Presbyterian College celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with service, gratitude, and conversation to honor the life and work of the civil rights leader and the values he embodied.
Annual Service Day reflects PC’s motto
The college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” was exemplified by students, faculty, and community members alike during its 12th annual MLK Jr. Service Day. Highlights of the day’s service were shared by Student Volunteer Services (SVS) co-directors Abby Donaldson and Becca King at the Martin Luther King Jr. convocation in Edmunds Hall on Monday evening.
“King himself was a servant leader who coordinated much of the civil rights movement in the South,” King said, acknowledging King’s legacy of faithful service. “His example is still an inspiration to many people, and his legacy of service will continue through PC’s MLK Service Day for years to come.”
This year’s service projects included assisting in a painting class at Presbyterian Home, cleanups for several churches, volunteering at the Laurens County Humane Society, and assisting at Clinton Canopy. Other efforts included helping out at the EcoHub on campus, creating Valentine’s Day cards for the elderly, making goody bags for Thornwell’s teaching parents, and playing BINGO with the residents at Clinton Presbyterian Community.
On the year of its 60th anniversary, SVS’s annual MLK Service Day drew a crowd of around 250 volunteers, further representing the community’s dedication to honoring King’s legacy through giving back to the community.
Keynote address highlights the importance of community
The celebration continued into Monday evening, with a keynote address delivered by James Bennett, the executive director of Palmetto Boys State.
Bennett delivered an invigorating speech following the theme “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way.”
Bennett began by drawing comparisons between the theme of this year and last year’s address, “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365,” pointing out that the reason for a sequel is typically because there’s more to the story.
This year’s story began with building community, something that cannot be done without a shared vision. Bennett referenced a book he’d recently read, “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” which broke down the commander’s intent, purpose, and how it is used to drive all components of the Navy to achieve the commander’s vision, likening this concept to Dr. King’s vision during the civil rights movement.
“This is Dr. King’s holiday, so in a manner of speaking, Dr. King is our commander. In his famous ‘I have a Dream’ speech, he said he had a dream that his poor little children would one day live in a nation where they would not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character,” he said, quoting King and acknowledging these same ideas referenced in the Declaration of Independence. “It is our shared vision that we are all endowed with inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Bennett said the next step in building a unified community is to ensure it’s built with values that are congruent with the non-violent movement; values that Dr. King himself abided by: trust, humility, courage, and love, the attribute that binds it all together.
He spoke of the relationship between love and non-violence, and the importance of not resorting to violence, even when it may seem like the only effective option.
“Violence increases pain. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” he said. “Love acts as a weapon to disarm hatred and prevents and resists the cunning attack.”
Bennett wrapped up his address by posing a question: how can we be unified as a nation when it seems like everything we see on TV and social media highlights our differences?
Referencing figures like Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, and Rosa Parks, who paved the way for so many others, he highlighted the importance of “being the one.”
“Be the one who is courageous. Be the one who exudes humility. Be the one who is trustworthy. Be the one who loves your neighbor as you love yourself. Be the one who would be the catalyst to spark a new movement. Be the one who is not afraid to stand alone for doing the right thing,” Benett said.
A day of remembrance, service, and reflection
Presbyterian College’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day represented the impact of his legacy and work. From the personal reflections brought on by Bennett’s address to the opportunity to serve the community directly, Monday’s events showcased how PC draws inspiration from King daily while embodying the values he held dear to his heart.
