When Martin Luther King Jr. advocated freedom, equality and a spirit of brotherhood in America more than 50 years ago, he anticipated opposition. In fact, it took decades for his ideals to be put into effect, and many still argue that King’s dream still is not completely realized.
But USC students succeeded in keeping King’s words in mind this year, as more than 500 students woke up early Monday morning, boarded buses and devoted their day off on a rare three-day weekend to perform various service activities around the community. These activities ranged from playing Wiffle ball with senior citizens to doing yardwork to working at food banks. King’s dream of peace and brotherhood was not completely forgotten, at least among the USC student population this year.
Perhaps this is an indication that there is still an atmosphere of altruism in our generation despite all the negative stereotypes of the present-day adolescent. Perhaps buried deep down under our drunken, Four Loko escapades and a casual indignation for rules and authority lies a willingness to reach out to those who have not had the opportunities we’ve had.
We applaud the University for organizing such a successful day to allow us to perform acts of good will, but we should also keep in mind that service activity isn’t exclusive to special holidays. And if you missed this year’s MLK Day and chose to sleep in until noon instead, don’t feel too bad. You’re not alone, and there are still plenty of other opportunities to redeem yourself and assuage your guilty conscience. Many organizations on campus, such as Habitat for Humanity or the Waverly after-school program, hold regular activities that you could participate in.
So spend a weekend doing something different, and revel in the knowledge that you, too, can be a part of keeping the dream alive.
More Like This
