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By Ayanna Eckblad

Martin Luther King Jr.’s work is not finished, the keynote speaker said Monday at the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day program at Riverland Community College as he encouraged those in attendance to continue in his example. 

In his speech, “Remembering more of Dr. King, Todd Lippert of ISAIAH Minnesota, talked about themes including the divisive issues of race in the United States today. 

Some examples were the current redesign of the Minnesota state flag and politicians’ marginalization of immigrant communities. He also explained that there is a “heartbreaking, painful prejudice in Minnesota’s rural communities as efforts to shrink the racial divide can be seen as removing necessities from rural areas.”

“Too many politicians are taking advantage of [this anger],” said Lippert. 

Lippert tied this message into the work of King as he highlighted King’s work not just with people of color but also working to combat poverty. Lippert urged those present at the event to remember that King’s work is not finished and to look at his work in its entirety rather than “sanitized” versions that minimize the work that still needs to be done.

Lippert quoted “A dead man’s dream,” a poem by Carl Wendell Hines Jr., “Dead men make such convenient heroes, for they cannot rise to challenge the images that we might fashion from their lives. It is easier to build monuments than to build a better world.”

Lippert also compared King to biblical prophets and their messages of justice for all people and critiques of corrupt leaders, particularly those who used their wealth to oppress others.

The event was hosted by Dani Heiny and Miguel Garate and sponsored by the MLK Committee, Riverland Community College, SEMCAC Community Action Agency, the Family Y and Albert Lea Area Schools. The event kicked off with live music and time for guests to socialize with hot cider and pizza. 

Following the opening of the program, Jeremy Corey-Gruenes awarded three students Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships: Jaylee Waters, Hatty Adams and Matthew Ramirez. Each student shared a little about what involvement led them to receiving the award and what the day means to them. 

Jaylee Waters shared about the need for continuous and conscious effort to bring peace and justice both nationally and globally. Hatty Adams spoke about helping youth through coaching and her involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Matthew Ramirez talked about how he was instilled with the values of giving respect and dignity to everyone from a young age by his family and church. 

The program closed with vocalist Carrie Boyer singing “The Greatest Love of All” by Michael Masser and Linda Creed. She then led everyone at the event in singing “We Shall Overcome,” a song by Charles Tindley and Pete Seeger.