Students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered together on Jan. 23 at the University of Redlands to commemorate the efforts and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a Peace Walk.
The event began at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel front steps with an opening address presented by several administration members who shared the history and meaning of the holiday.
“Dr. King once said, ‘True peace is not merely the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice.’ Today, as we walk together, we embody that vision – not just striving for calm, but actively standing for justice, equity and inclusion,” President Newkirk said.
Following this address, several students from Political Science Professor Renée Van Vechten’s “Into to American Politics” class took the podium and presented portions from King’s 1957 “The Birth of a New Nation” sermon.
As the Peace Walk progressed, Van Vechten’s students quoted King at stations along the campus route. From Memorial Chapel, they traveled to the Labyrinth to hear his 1957 “Give us the Ballot” speech, Casa Loma lawn for his 1968 “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” speech, Deacon Statue for his 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” speech and ended in Hunsaker Plaza to hear his 1967 “Where Do We Go From Here?” speech.
Several of King’s quotes that students recited included:
“And that it will come in this generation: the day when all men will recognize the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.”
“He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword.”
“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
“Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider.”
“This is no time for romantic illusions and empty philosophical debates about freedom. This is a time for action.”
This last line, from “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was read by Arum Saraissian ‘27. Saraissian said he had selected it because of its relevance to current events and stated that he believes it is important to remember, celebrate and learn from history with events like this Peace Walk.
In accordance with King’s message of diversity and unity, there were a variety of individuals participating in the Peace Walk. Heather Abushanab, a Redlands resident, said she decided to join because she supports King’s goals and wanted to become more involved with the university and student life. Sara Thompson, the University of Redlands Hall of Letters Department Coordinator, has participated in the Peace Walk both years and said she appreciates how it emphasizes the power of nonviolent protests.
To wrap up the event, Assistant Director of Enrollment Kieshuana Choice delivered the closing remarks by highlighting the significance of how we conduct ourselves and the necessity to treat others with respect.
“In a world that feels increasingly divided and emotionally charged, this mindfulness becomes even more critical,” Choice said. “We live in a time where personal truths often take center stage. My truth can become a weapon used to silence differing perspectives and diminish freedom of thought in the pursuit of uniformity.”
Choice explained that King understood how to promote justice and hope in the face of adversity by remaining calm and determined, a model of leadership reflected in the James 1:19 Bible verse, “Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
Choice then challenged the Peace Walk participants to adopt a similar approach of mindfulness and consideration as they left Hunsaker Plaza and resumed their daily activities.
This was the 2nd annual MLK Peace Walk, a program that has become an integral component of Van Vechten’s curriculum. She said she had always wanted to incorporate celebrating King, one of the most renowned and prominent leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.
“Dr. King radiated the values that make diverse communities work,” she said in a later response. “Civility and decency, even while fighting against crushing oppression. Courage in dark times. Compassion for others, including those who represent what we oppose. Kindness, even in the face of hatred. Soul force instead of physical force, as he put it. We can elevate justice and equality for all when we act upon these principles and when we honor Dr. King’s legacy.”
Through this project, Van Vechten hopes to instill in her students a greater sense of appreciation and respect for King and his efforts.
“Being able to get students to give voice to these words is meaningful for them in a way that helps them understand that the words become alive when they’re spoken and when they’re acted upon,” she said. “The first time [students] did it in 2023, I was in tears just listening to these words echoing across the generations.”
This Peace Walk was just one of numerous events celebrating MLK Week, whose 2025 national Mission Possible theme was “Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.”
McKenzie Rose is a freshman at Redlands with interests in Environmental Studies and Journalism. She worked for the last three years as a freelance journalist with the Hermiston Herald, a newspaper near her hometown of Echo, Oregon. She is looking forward to covering the interesting, the exciting, and the intriguing happenings at the university for the Redlands Bulldog!
