.Today is set aside to honor and celebrate the life of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Junior. The Director of the Center for Multicultural Education at the University of Northern Iowa says most people are familiar with King’s “I have a Dream” speech. But, Michael Blackwell says you need to focus on King’s entire legacy to understand what he was trying to do. Blackwell says King was more outspoken about things that were happening in the world in the last four years of his life. Blackwell says one goal of King’s — ending poverty — is far from being reached. He says the recent election also raises concerns about some of the same issues King championed, the right of everyone to vote.Blackwell admits many college students probably view the M-L-K celebration as just another day off.Blackwell says former California Congressman Ronald Dellums is one of the speakers scheduled for tonight who Blackwell hopes spurs student interest. Dellums is the founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and will speak at 7:30 p-m in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the Cedar Falls campus.
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