Inspired by the 30th MLK Symposium #WhoWillBeNext theme, social justice activist and educator Nontombi Naomi Tutu said you don’t have to be the next Martin Luther King Jr. to promote the cause — but you can do your share.

Tutu, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium keynote speaker, said one doesn’t have to be on a world stage to contribute to changes that matter.

“We are not going to all be Nobel Peace prize winners. But we can be community peace activists,” she told the MLK Day audience at Hill Auditorium. “We can decide that we are not going to be silent in the face of injustice.”

The symposium program included remarks from President Mark Schlissel. He said the U-M community could draw inspiration from the symposium theme.

“It says we can all be vital allies in the fight for social justice. We all have talents, skills, thoughts and ideas to contribute to solutions for today’s pressing social justice issues,” he said.

Schlissel said faculty, students and staff in recent months have made significant progress in the effort to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion at U-M, and that strategic plans to do more in those areas are taking shape in schools, colleges and administrative units.

The president added that this work is happening during a tumultuous time in our nation’s history. There is controversy over refugee relocation, concern over terror attacks followed by Islamophobia here and abroad, and racial strife on college campuses.

“These are all difficult issues that we can only address by coming together as a community, by engaging in meaningful dialogue that is informed by our highest values and aspirations as human beings and as members of a thoughtful academic community,” Schlissel said. “We must do better and we will.”

Tutu said when she was told the theme of U-M’s symposium, she took it as a challenge to all to be the next leaders in the social justice movement, and that we start by studying past leaders.

“Martin Luther King Jr. was not born a leader of a civil rights movement. He was not born a Nobel Prize winner,” she said. “He was a human being who looked at the world and said, ‘This isn’t right, and I have to be part of those who make it right.'”

Tutu said we start by recognizing it is not right that a 12-year-old can be playing in a playground and 30 seconds later he is dead. “It is not right that people in Flint, Michigan, have been drinking poisoned water because somebody wanted to save money,” she said.

Tutu said each of us must live as though we are the next leaders in the social justice movement.

She said it isn’t right that many schools have become holding areas and not educational facilities, and that black parents must warn their children to be careful when confronted by police. She said injustice is made worse when people say the young person shot dead by police did not respond properly to officers.

“Not doing those things should not be a death sentence,” Tutu said.

Activists don’t all have to be renowned, but can be locally appreciated, she said. “You might not be the next MLK, but maybe our world doesn’t need the next Martin Luther King Jr. Maybe what the world needs is the next you.”

Tutu said she’s heard criticism of current movements such as Black Lives Matter by some who say they don’t bring people together as King did. She said those critics don’t remember that King was called an agitator, a communist and an outside troublemaker for raising issues of concern in his day.

“The Martin Luther King Jr. that people talk about today never existed. He was a man who challenged the racism in this country. He challenged the international policies of this country. He challenged the economic policy of this country,” she said.

Tutu said she is hopeful because she sees many embracing social justice activism. They include “a professor who said ‘I am going to wear the hijab to my classes to show I stand in solidarity because I am not going to be silenced in the face of Islamophobia.’ They are not waiting to say who will be next, they are saying I am next.”

Robert Sellers, vice provost for equity, inclusion and academic affairs, thanked the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives — including Director Gloria Taylor, interim Associate Director Lumas Helaire and the MLK Symposium Planning Committee — for organizing the symposium.

“The myriad of events represent not only the deep reverence the University of Michigan community has for Dr. King’s dedication to hold this country to the promise of a higher standard, but these events also showcase the diversity and the ways in which our various communities choose to honor Dr. King’s legacy and also display the many talents that this university community has,” Sellers said.

Christina Morton, an alumna and current Ph.D. candidate from Pittsfield Township, called the symposium keynote program incredibly powerful.

“I’m impressed by the message and the people that made this happen,” she said adding references to current events, including the Flint water crisis, were poignant.

Her husband, Chris Morton, a 2010 alumnus, said the symposium was phenomenal. He said a highlight was Tutu examining the idea that no one will be the next Martin Luther King Jr. “It really hit home. It’s very important to be yourself,” he said.

The Men’s Glee Club drew an extended standing ovation for its event performance, closing with “Glory” from the film “Selma.”

Tags:

• MLK Symposium