Several hundred students gathered under an American flag flying at half-staff Wednesday night to honor a civil rights hero.
About 200 students, faculty, staff and friends gathered around the flagpole in the graying light of the sun to honor Rosa Parks, who died Oct. 24.
The Rev. Ricky Jones, who leads the Reformed University Fellowship, stepped up to the podium situated on the sidewalk encircling the base of the flag.
Jones said it seemed inappropriate at first that he was there, due to his being a minister. However, the Civil Rights Movement was important for the church, as well.
“The Civil Rights Movement, in all of its victories, revealed what was best in the church,” Jones said.
Rosa Parks’ efforts revealed serious transgressions within the white culture: people were living in a belief that was totally wrong, but they were not even aware of it, Jones said. Parks also helped bring about repentance, he said.
Another question Jones posed was why he, a white man, spoke at the event. It seems inappropriate, but it is really what the entire Civil Rights Movement was about, Jones said.
Steven Ford, director of minority student affairs for the Student Association, went to the podium and recited Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” Ford said, quoting King.
The memorial program honored Parks for taking part in a fight that is leading to aa realization of King’s words, Ford said.
“Rosa Parks and other leaders started this race for us, but it’s up to all of us to finish it,” Ford added.
Dominique Wesley, a sophomore in secondary education who attended the ceremony, said the civil rights hero deserved the event.
“I admire her because she started something, and she didn’t have to do it. I know it was hard,” Wesley added.
The Black Voices choir also sang at the program.
“With all of these trials you make me stand,” they sang. Their melodious harmonies rose above the Drill Field and the crowd as an electric piano whirred in the background.
“He is an awesome God and greatly to be praised,” they sang.