Message from the Chief Diversity Officer

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 89th anniversary of his birth in Atlanta, GA on January 15, 1929. Dr. King was a civil rights icon who inspired our nation and the world to reflect on the deeply held values we share about racial justice, equal rights for all, peace, and nonviolent protest. His messages and his words remain ever-present in our world even now. We must continue to follow the important principles his life and legacy demanded by standing against the vitriolic hate, racism, and xenophobia that dominates the news about our nation, our government and our leaders. In his words:

• "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
• "Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective."
• "The arc of the moral universe is long...but it bends toward justice."
• Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in the inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Anyone who lives in the United States can never be considered an outsider...

We have an obligation as a community of scholars to stand forward in the spirit of these words to help lead our university, the nation, and our world toward a higher level of justice, equity, and inclusive excellence.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Worthington
Chief Diversity Officer and Interim Associate Provost
Professor, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education