Monday marked the 54th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a seminal moment in the civil rights movement and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In State College, community members came together to dedicate and celebrate a permanent, local reminder of King’s work and message.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in the area of the Fraser Street garage was officially dedicated with a ribbon cutting and remarks from some of those community members who helped make the project a reality.
“There were a lot of things that needed to be done and they’ve all come to pass,” said State College Borough Council President Tom Daubert. “We’re really excited that the project has been brought to fruition.”
Barbara Farmer, chair of the advisory subcommittee for the plaza, was at that 1964 March on Washington with her church’s Sunday school.
“Little did I know 54 years later I would be standing here on this same day to commemorate that time and see evidence of what Martin Luther King desired for us as people and for us as community,” she said. “It warms my heart.”
The mural features images from Martin Luther King’s 1965 speech at Rec Hall.
The idea for making the Fraser plaza into the MLK Plaza was first brought forward in 2012 by then-borough council member Peter Morris, who was recognized on Monday, and approved that year by council.
The plaza starts with pillars near the corner of Fraser Street and West Beaver Avenue. Featured prominently in front of the garage is a mural with imagery from King’s Jan. 21, 1965 speech at Penn State’s Rec Hall before 8,000 people.
Speakers on Monday often referenced that speech and its theme that while much had been done for justice and equality, much work still needed to be done.
“At Penn State and in State College we do a lot of things right, but similar to Dr. King’s words, we know there is always more that we can and should do to foster inclusivity,” said Marcus Whitehurst, Penn State Vice Provost for Educational Equity.
Penn State student Janelle Bullock leads the crowd in ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’
Whitehurst said that the hatred and violence witnessed recently in Charlottesville, Va., was symptomatic of “collective inability to engage in meaningful, civil conversations for quite some time.”
People need to acknowledge they have more in common than they do differences, he added, and that they need to connect on a human level if issues are to be solved.
“Today’s dedication should serve as a reminder to all of us that there is no task too great or too small for us all to roll up our sleeves to work, to create a better and more welcoming environment for everyone and that everyone has a voice and responsibility when it comes to improving our communities for the next generation of leaders and students who come to Penn State and State College,” Whitehurst said.
Barbara Farmer speaks at the dedication.
The advisory committee to help develop the plaza concept was formed in June 2016, and they worked to inform a redesign that made the plaza not just a memorial but an active public place where people could gather and continue to learn.
“This committee worked very closely with the designers Derck and Edson to ensure this active space was designed to capture Dr. King’s legacy properly,” said Catherine Dauler, borough councilwoman and committee chair. “They engaged the community and had long conversations to ensure this plaza was perfect.”
Adjacent to the garage in the area near the Fraser Street mini-mall is a public gathering space which is lined with pavers that commemorate key moments in the civil rights movement nationally and in the Penn State and State College community.
Annemarie Mingo, an assistant professor of African American studies and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Penn State and member of the advisory committee, said the plaza is designed to be a place of inspiration.
“We have intentionally designed this as a gathering place where persons can learn about the local and national aspects of the struggle for civil and human rights, but also we hope be inspired to look at what role they can play in helping to make the world a more just place today,” she said.
She also noted how there aren’t many open, public places outside of the traditional areas associated with the civil rights movement that go beyond just being a memorial.
“There are very few spaces where it goes beyond that and encourages involvement in learning more about not only King but others who were active with him in the movement for civil and human rights,” she said. “There are memorials to Dr. King throughout the world… but what we are doing here in State College is I believe unique and very special.”
The public gathering space for the MLK Plaza
Charles Dumas, a committee member and Penn State professor emeritus, opened the dedication with a recital of King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” which was delivered at the March on Washington, an event for which, like Farmer, he also was in attendance.
Penn State student and Essence of Joy choir member Janelle Bullock led the large crowd in attendance in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Dr. Preston Williams, who was associate chaplain at Penn State at the time of King’s 1965 visit and the second African-American professor to be hired by the university, delivered keynote remarks.
Penn State Provost Nick Jones also hearkened back to King’s 1965 speech.
“One need only to watch, read or listen to the news to know we still have far to go,” Jones said.
“With [this plaza] we send a strong message to our community… that his mission and teachings remain so meaningful today and that we all must continue to learn from and act on them. That in essence is Dr. King’s legacy. Still today we all can follow Dr. King’s leadership and show the courage required to make our community one in which we can all be proud, one in which every person is valued for what he or she contributes to it. With this plaza we have a permanent reminder to inspire people for generations to come. And onward we shall go.”
The dedication concluded with a ribbon cutting led by Mayor Elizabeth Goreham, followed by performances by local bands in the plaza.
