Joe Rogers, lieutenant governor of Colorado from 1999 to 2003, delivered Elon's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address in Whitley Auditorium Wednesday, Jan. 11. Details...
Rogers said America is a country with many proud moments in its heritage, but that slavery and segregation must be acknowledged as part of the nation’s history as well.
“The world of segregation was one where we were literally separate and wholly unequal,” said Rogers. “When we talk about this today, so many of these things are foreign. You may say, ‘Why even bring it up?’ But my parents used to say that to know where you’re going, you’ve go to know where you came from.”
Rogers re-enacted parts of two famous speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., including his “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, DC in August 1963. Rogers said King’s speech that day “shared the substance of the aspirations, hopes and dreams of this great nation. He shared the substance of his heart.”
Rogers became the nation’s youngest lieutenant governor when he was sworn into office at age 34. Rogers, now a practicing attorney in Colorado, serves on the blue-ribbon National Commission on the Voting Rights Act. In 2001, he received the prestigious Trumpet Award from Turner Broadcasting System in recognition of his achievements and contributions to enhance the quality of life for all Americans.
The program included the announcement of the winner of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest, open to middle school students in Alamance County. Kelsey Thompson, a 7th grade student at Burlington Christian Academy, shared her winning essay with the audience.
The event was co-sponsored by The Office of Multicultural Affairs, Student Government Association, Black Cultural Society, Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Interfraternity Council and Pan-Hellenic Council.