Geneva's Night of the Arts Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

by Gregory Beechaum, Jr. '18

On Monday night, January 15, the Geneva community and its neighbors shared a moment together to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through reflection and art. The dimly lit Skye Lounge, coupled with the Terry Levels Jazz Band playing in the background, set the mood for an evening inviting warmth and appreciation for the life of the man who was burdened with so much but gave a gift to a world he would never have the opportunity to witness.

Amazingly enough, I was not aware of the existence of this annual event until this year. In my three previous years as a Geneva student, I somehow overlooked a time that would – at least for a moment – allow me to view the school differently in terms of the things we celebrated. For that I apologize. Because throughout the night those in attendance, me included, experienced the blessing of equality as something others had to sacrifice for us to have.

Having the opportunity to participate with a reflection, I mentioned that equality in these moments should be cherished; they should be defined. I stated, “Love is the ability to look past the flaws, the political stances, and see one another as people. Because right now, we sometimes allow our differences to blind us from the fact that at our core we are human beings." I added that Dr. King’s legacy goes beyond the civil rights he pushed for, but it implored all of humanity to learn to love better every day.

“Love is the ability to look past the flaws, the political stances, and see one another as people.”
― Gregory Beechaum, Jr., Senior Communication Major, Geneva College

With other awesome performances from Tamika Burman-McNeil, Kelley Johnson and Ebonee Grover of Allegheny Center Alliance Church and many others, as well as reflections from Professor Doug Bradbury, it was evident that despite differing races, we all received something immensely powerful.

Midway through the night, what was transpiring finally sank in - the gift of listening. What should be happening around the world is listening and the attempt to understand. Dr. King’s goal was for voices to be equally heard, for lives to be given the same worth despite the color of skin. In many ways, it is a goal still unachieved. The way to a solution remains a dilemma that still plagues this country; however, it’s encouraging to be in a space that allows for collective gratitude for how far we have come in pursuit of equality and justice and grace.

All in all, I am glad to have participated in a moment that celebrates the legacy and message of Dr. King. It inspires us to continue to seek change in a world with a long way to go before true fruition of the dream. It is not impossible to recognize the state of our nation with social injustices still present and racial tensions still flaring; the key is to simply be willing to do so. Comprehending the struggles that we have faced as a nation and looking for the solution is something we hope to strive for. I commend Kristie Martel and Lauren Mixon of Geneva College’s Center for Student Engagement for being willing to recognize that the dream is still a work in progress and for organizing such an important and meaningful evening.

From the Geneva Blog:
He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck...

by Dr. Bill Edgar, Geneva College Board of Trustees Member, Former Geneva College President and longtime pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)

Beyond their own experience, wise people learn from others, from father and mother, teachers, friends, police, or even enemies. They listen to advice, they watch and observe, and they learn from books, such as Proverbs.

Then there are people who refuse to learn, both the passively aggressive who pretend to listen but change nothing, and the openly defiant. In either case, the proverb notes the frequent “body language” that goes with such defiance, a certain way of holding one’s head with a stiff neck that communicates, “I’m not listening!” Parents see such posture in their children: head held still with stiff neck, while child calculates whether he must comply or not. Note that fools who ignore rebukes are “often rebuked” -- by parents, teachers, elders, even the legal system, everyone hoping they will “wise up.” More...