Vanderbilt University 2013

The Presence of Justice: Bursting the Silent Bubbles

True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.

Dr. Martin Luther King, “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story,” 1958

Modern psychology has a word that is probably used more than any other word. It is the word

2013 MLK Keynote Michelle Alexander with Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos

“maladjusted.” Now we all should seek to live a well adjusted life in order to avoid neurotic and schizophrenic personalities. But there are some things within our social order to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I call upon you to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination . . . I never intend to adjust myself to the tragic effects of the methods of physical violence and to tragic militarism. I call upon you to be maladjusted to such things . . . God grant that we will be so maladjusted that we will be able to go out and change our world and our civilization.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

- Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemoration

The Vanderbilt community celebrates MLK Day 2013 as a day of celebration and service. Classes will be canceled and students will participate in a number of service activities over the weekend leading into the Monday commemoration activities.  These activities will include participating in the Nashville’s citywide march and retracing the steps of the city’s civil rights activists.

Events commemorating King’s legacy and highlighting the relevance of his work today will include a keynote address by Vanderbilt Alum Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow.  Other events will include the annual MLK Essay and Oratorical Contest, a candlelight vigil and numerous service activities throughout the weekend preceding the holiday.