Martin reaches 'just where you are'

The wisdom and knowledge of older folks combined with the passion and the energy and the drive of those who are younger equals a powerful force for change, explained Roland Martin, keynote speaker for Winston-Salem State's MLK Day program.

A capacity crowd of students, faculty, and members of the community gathered to hear Martin's views Jan. 17 in the Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium.

Martin, an acclaimed political pundit, speaker, author and commentator was invited to join the Winston-Salem community in its celebration by On Common Ground, a joint initiative by WSSU and Wake Forest University to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Within On Common Ground's program ‘Moving Toward the Promised Land of Justice' lay a message from Martin, to which he gave an impromptu title, ‘Where You Are.'

Following performances by WSSU students, Martin took midstage to come face-to-face with the audience.  

"Do you know the dumbest question that I hear all the time [during MLK Day] that I can't stand?  Martin said.

I always hear folks ask ‘What would Martin Luther King Jr. do if he were here today.'"

Pacing both sides of the stage, Martin wasted no time delivering his message.

"I really don't recall any readings or any writings or speeches from Dr. King that said ‘I really wish Frederick Douglass was here," Martin said.

"The reason why I can't stand that is because I consider that a tremendous cop out for those who are afraid to assume the mantle of leadership."

"King probably wouldn't be sitting around waiting for someone else to stand up and do something. He likely would actually just do it."

Challenging the crowd to become socially, civically and politically involved was Martin's path into the core of his message. Martin suggested establishing a day when WSSU would descend upon the State Capitol to make its presence felt.

Rikkia Hicks agrees.

"I think there definitely needs to be a time where all the students come together and talk about the issues they have. Registration, financial aid, tuition, books, cost, everything," Hicks said.

Hicks is a sophomore mass communications major from Washington, D.C.

He also talked about the rhetoric that Martin says he has heard most of his life.

"There's this whole mentality that just drives me crazy," Martin said.

"Young folks would say, ‘I really wish old folks would just get out of the way and just let us take over.'"

Martin was referring to the lack of reverence that he says the younger generation has for their elder statesmen.

"Folks don't realize that Roy Wilkins in 1959, head of the NAACP called Dr. King a radical," Martin said.

"You had this friction going on between these established older leaders and this young generation. But at the same time [the young generation] had a healthy respect for those who were already there."

Martin said King understood the importance of what needed to be done unapologetically. Yet, he continued to stay humble.

Martin jumped from bridging the gap between young and old to building a bridge of success through change from ‘just where you are,' a resonating theme.

"The only way we are going to have a level of change in this country is when we understand that if you don't confront what's right around you, what's outside your door, then nothing will change," Martin said.

"When it comes to leadership, it starts just where you are."

When asked how he felt about students attending public school during MLK Day, Martin's response was poignant.

"I ain't having a conversation about no damn snow day. Not while I'm looking at the 3rd and 4th grade reading level of black kids," Martin said.     

"The failure I see in leadership today is that, we might be in North Carolina…and the whole time, ain't nobody asking what's happening right where you are."

Using King as his model, he conveyed a message of urgency for today's leaders to be dynamic. King, who at the time of the Montgomery Bus Boycott planning, ‘wasn't even in the room when he was chosen to lead' the now famous Civil Rights Movement.

"Here was a situation where somebody who did not demand leadership, he did not ask for leadership, but the people saw something in him."

King stepped up and successfully led the Boycott.

"So ask yourself the question," Martin said.

"Could they elect you if you were not in the room?"

For Brittany McEachirn, a junior English major from San Antonio, Martin's speech inspired her to want to ‘get into the game.'

"He was very inspiring and made me want to start making a difference instead of just being a bench rider," McEachirn said.

"Kinda like ‘come on coach. Put me in the game!"

Martin urged the audience to leave this world with a positive impact.

"Everyone should want somebody to be able to say [about them] ‘they made a difference while they were here,'" Martin said.

"How many of you thought for a second what your legacy will be?"