Diamond Jenkins
Blue & White Flash / Associate Editor
More than 50 students participated in Jackson State University’s observation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
The third Monday of January marks the day of the year in American history celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As in previous years, Jackson State University students used this day of service to help various organizations and service campaigns including: Operation Shoestring, Gateway Rescue Missions, Hope House and ‘Buddy for a day’ at Community Nursing Home, which were sites that gave selected JSU students the opportunity to help out at a local nursing home.
“As a result of this initiative, a host of students have indicated that they would like to continue serving at the sites they served on Monday. We hope that this projects and projects as such will allow us build strong community partnerships allowing our students so many ways to give back in and around our city. By this, these partners will know that JSU students have a heart of service and that ultimately “Jackson State University, Cares,” said Eltease Moore, Community Service Coordinator for the Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning.
Various activities around the city of Jackson were held to commemorate the legacy of the great leader, including the annual King parade, whose route encompasses Medgar Evers Blvd. and Martin Luther King Drive.
According to a January 2012 issue of the Blue and White Flash, there was a big attendance among Jackson State students,
“There were a variety of community service opportunities available this past weekend for our students. There were 15 students attached to the MLK service project. These particular projects were dedicated to social issues, homelessness, social justice as well as, diversity throughout the community, “ said Timothy Abram, associate director of the Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning.
The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
Students gained insight while attending this day of service.
Ronshonda Hamilton, a senior biology major from Jackson, Miss. said, “There is a whole world of people who need things and you shouldn’t look down on them. This experience opened up a whole new perspective for me because the little things count in this world for some people.”
Joshua Alexander, a junior social work major from Greenville, Miss., said, “The actual event was very surreal. It made me feel good about myself and my community. MLK Day is for us to come together, become close and preactice selflessness.
Taylor Bembery contributed to this story.
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