University strives to continue Southern civil rights traditions

By: CLAIRE MILLER

Posted: 1/19/07

As civil rights leaders fade into the past, both students and faculty said the University is doing an exceptional job at preserving their lives and legacies.

As the celebrations continued this week, the University community honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but mourned the recent loss of another guiding force.

Dora McDonald, King's personal secretary, passed away just two days before the national holiday that commemorates her former boss. McDonald died of complications from cancer at age 81.

Rosa Parks, the face of the Montgomery bus boycotts, was 92 when she died on Oct. 24, 2005.

The events this week are just one part of the University's efforts to preserve King's legacy, said Cheryl Dozier, the associate provost for the Office of Institutional Diversity.

"I think we're preserving the legacy through the research of scholars on campus," Dozier said. "There's a new exhibit at the Main Library devoted to the Civil Rights Movement, and there's also the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies at the Russell Library."

She also said the next logical step is to make the information about the movement more readily available to students.

"All the information is here, but how visible is it to the student looking for it?" she said. "That's what we need to work on."

A good way to remember people like Parks and McDonald is to discuss their work in class, said Chana Kai Lee, an associate professor in the history department.

"[McDonald's] passing brought to mind that strong women did a lot of the heavy lifting during the Civil Rights Movement," Lee said. "I teach about these women as central, behind-the-scenes folks."

Lee also said she thinks the University community is doing an excellent job in carrying on King's legacy compared to other schools.

"I used to teach at the University of Florida, and before that I lived in California," Lee said. "I think the state of Georgia has done a lot since this is his home state, and UGA has done a lot more since I came here in 1999."

Lee also said it's important to bear in mind that his work isn't finished yet.

"When Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement come to mind, I remember two things: we are celebrating his accomplishments and the accomplishments of the movement, and we must remember that our work is not done," she said. "I think we send a message to ourselves that we've come a long way, but we can do more."

Brandon Hall, president of the Black Affairs Council, said in an e-mail that King taught people that even the most seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome.

"His work allowed the country to truly fulfill the constitution when it referenced that 'all men are created equal,'" he said.

He also said he's confident that McDonald and others like her will be honored during the celebrations this week.

"I am sure that many who are deeply invested in the week of activities will pay homage to her in some way or another," Hall said. "It may not all be public but definitely her work is important and will never go unnoticed."