Skip menu links
  1. Home
  2. Events
  3. Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Listen to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech

A Message From President Faltyn

Dr. Martin Luther King is a true American hero. A warrior of peaceful means with a forgiving heart who unapologetically stood for what he believed. He is an inspiring example of intelligence, strength, selflessness, grace, dignity, and discipline. Today is a reminder that there is still more to be done if ALL Americans are to have faith and confidence that freedom, equity, and justice are not just words but a way of life. Today's world needs more of Dr. King and none of the terrible violence we've seen. TF

A Statement From OPSU's Council on Diversity and Inclusivity

Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy remains at the forefront of civil rights and equality conversations across our nation. Dr. King was one of the most formative figures in our history leading the charge for civil rights and it’s important to remember his life and work. As he marched, he was spit on. As he gathered in peaceful protest, he was arrested. But Dr. King remained steadfast in his truth and belief in the power of forgiveness and taking a stand for what you believe in peacefully. Dr. King was dedicated to making our nation a better place and that is more important today than ever. We encourage every student to find their voice and use their platform to contribute to a more informed, diversified, and culturally rich community here at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

What does the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to our students, faculty, and staff?

quote1
Martin Luther King Jr.
“IT MEANS CONNECTION AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THAT WOULDN’T TRADITIONALLY BE TOGETHER. IT MEANS FIGHTING FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN EVEN IF NO ONE IS STANDING BEHIND YOU. MLK DAY TO ME IS LOVE AND TRAGEDY AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE DON'T SUFFER LIKE IN THE PAST.” - OPSU STUDENT
quote2
Martin Luther King Jr.
“MLK DAY MEANS EQUALITY TO ME. EVERYONE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO THE SAME RIGHTS NO MATTER RACE CREED RELIGION OR SEXUALITY.” - OPSU STUDENT
quote3
Martin Luther King Jr.
“THERE IS A QUOTE FROM HIM THAT SAYS “DARKNESS CANNOT DRIVE OUT DARKNESS; ONLY LIGHT CAN DO THAT. HATE CANNOT DRIVE OUT HATE; ONLY LOVE CAN DO THAT.” THIS, ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHER POWERFUL THINGS HE SAID IS SO APPLICABLE TO US RIGHT NOW. DURING A VERY CHALLENGING TIME FOR HIS PEOPLE, HE ALWAYS REMAINED SO FOCUSED AND FAITHFUL IN HIS BELIEFS. I THINK THAT WE AS AMERICANS RIGHT NOW CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM HIM AND HIS CONVICTIONS. THE WORK THAT HE DID FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF HIS ACTIONS, BUT ALL OF US CAN LEARN SO MUCH AS WE WORK HARD TO CELEBRATE OUR DIFFERENCES AND WORK TOGETHER TO BE A MORE COHESIVE AND EQUAL NATION.” - OPSU Faculty Member
quote4
Martin Luther King Jr.
“MLK JR DAY MEANS A LOT TO OUR COUNTRY AND TO ME BECAUSE AS A MEXICAN ALSO COMING FROM A MINORITY SEEING SOMEONE SPEAK UP AND FIGHT AGAINST OUR RIGHTS AS HUMANS MAKES ME REALIZE HOW MUCH OUR VOICE NEEDS TO BEHEARD AND HOW WE CAN’T LET PEOPLE WALK ALL OVER US.” - OPSU STUDENT
quote5
Martin Luther King Jr.
“MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR. WAS A PHENOMENAL LEADER WHO LED WITH WISDOM AND INTEGRITY. WE CONTINUE TO LEARN FROM HIS LESSONS EVERY DAY.ONE OF HIS QUOTES THAT HAS RESONATED WITH ME RECENTLY IS: “PEOPLE FAIL TO GET ALONG BECAUSE THEY FEAR EACH OTHER; THEY FEAR EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW EACH OTHER; THEY DON’T KNOW EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED WITH EACH OTHER.” I HOPE THAT HERE AT OPSU WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND TO REALLY LISTEN AND HEAR WITH OTHERS ARE SAYING. AS OUR COUNTRY BEGINS A NEW ADMINISTRATION THIS WEEK, MAY WE ALL USE THE LESSONS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR. TO DO AWAY WITH THE FEAR, BEGIN TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND DO THE REAL WORK OF COMMUNICATING.” - OPSU Faculty Member
quote6
Martin Luther King Jr.
“MLK JR. DAY IS A CELEBRATION OF EQUALITY, FREEDOM, AND PEACE. I THINK THIS DAY HONORS THE LEGACY OF A MAN WHO GAVE UP HIS LIFE TO ATTAIN EQUALITY. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME THAT WE HAVE THIS DAY IN OUR HISTORY TO SHOW HOW PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER THROUGH PROTESTING AND FIGHTING FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. AMERICA WOULD NOT BE AMERICA WITHOUT ITS DIVERSITY.” - OPSU STUDENT
quote7
Martin Luther King Jr.
“MLK DAY IS A DAY WHERE EVERY PERSON OF ANY RACE/ETHNICITY BE TREATED AS A HUMAN BEING AND HAVE THE GOD GIVEN RIGHTS WE WERE BORN WITH INTO THIS WORLD. ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE TOGETHER AT PEACE AND TREAT EACHOTHER WITH RESPECT AND LOVE. A CERTAIN RACE/ETHNICITY SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS SUPERIOR OVER ANY OTHER RACE/ETHNICITY.” - OPSU STUDENT
quote8
Martin Luther King Jr.
“FOR ME, MLK'S GREATNESS RESTS PARTLY ON THE FACT THAT HE BROUGHT US CLOSER TO JEFFERSON'S GREAT IDEAL THAT "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL." OUR COUNTRY HAS ALWAYS LOVED THAT IDEAL, AND TOO OFTEN FAILED TO LIVE UP TO IT. KING TOOK US MILES CLOSER TO IT,EVEN IF TOO MANY OF US DIDN'T WANT THAT. HE WAS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING -- TAKE BEATINGS,GO TO JAIL, AND GIVE HIS LIFE -- IN AN EFFORT TO BRING HONEST TRUTH TO THE AMERICAN IDEAL OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. WE HONOR HIM AND OUR COUNTRY BY JUDGING ONE ANOTHER BY THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER; AND IN THE PROCESS WE CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN OUR IDEALS AND OUR FAULTS.” - OPSU Faculty Member
quote9
Martin Luther King Jr.
“WHAT MLK DAY MEANS TO ME IS THE EQUALITY OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY. MAINLY THE EQUALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS DUE TO RACE. MLK DAY TO ME MEANS,LIVING WITHOUT THE SENSE OF WORRY DUE TO THE COLOR OF MY SKIN. THANK YOU MLK.” - OPSU STUDENT