MLK and Trump: Students speak out/part 2

King does not deserve slap in the face

By ALEXIS WILSON

Not honoring historic individuals is a slap in the face, a Claflin University student said. 

Madison Robinson, a junior Claflin student and Student Government Association vice president, and Gauryama Blanchard, a freshman, commented on the recent Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. 

For Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of remembrance. This holiday honors those who fought for better treatment of Black people. 

“To not celebrate historic individuals is a slap in the face and disgraceful, especially since the world we know today is partly better due to their direct efforts,” Robinson said 

Robinson does not want King’s legacy to be forgotten. 

“It is important to celebrate MLK Day in 2025 because we cannot let his legacy go in vain. Dr. King, amongst others, worked tirelessly to help their community, risking their livelihoods so that later generations can grow in a better future,” Robinson said.

Blanchard shared the importance of the holiday, noting the sacrifices made by King and others. 

“I think it’s important to celebrate MLK Day to further share the story of one of the many people who sacrificed so much for freedoms we have today,” Blanchard said.

For Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of service and his sacrifices to the Black community inspire her. 

“Dr. King’s life was dedicated to public service and the advancement of Black people; his continuous fight is admirable and inspiring. Despite all the hardships pushed on him during his lifetime, he still persevered, and it fuels my passion in the current day,” Robinson said. 

Blanchard said the holiday is “more than just a national holiday.” She notes King's purpose for Black advancement was impactful. 

King was an activist and participated in community service. To honor his legacy, Robinson feels the holiday should encompass his beliefs.

“By engaging in community service, we are continuing the dream and therefore it is a type of activism, in my opinion. Continuing the fight for the Black community is activism, and continuously helping our own community is a part of that,” Robinson said. 

Robinson spends her holiday giving back to the community. 

“Typically, my family and I volunteer by helping at the homeless shelter up the street from my house. It is always a fulfilling experience as I enjoy helping others,” Robinson said.

Blanchard adds that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be used as a day of service. She says people should participate in marches and hold speeches about Black issues to evoke change.

Blanchard shared that this is her first King holiday on a college campus. Yet, in previous years, she has participated in events to commemorate the holiday. 

“This is my first MLK Day in college, but in prior years, I have participated by sharing the story of MLK through speech, along with facilitating MLK celebrations at my school,” Blanchard said. 

Both students believe King’s holiday can be used to spread equality and unity among college students.

They say college allows students to expand their knowledge of different cultures. Through college events and programs, students can accept different backgrounds solidifying King's dream.

Students engage in service for MLK Day

By MARICELLYN MCDONALD

Students participated in acts of service to celebrate MLK Day holiday, which was declared as a national day of service in 1994 encouraging Americans to participate in community and volunteer work to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy.

“Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, especially as a Black college student, is important,” said Summer Edmond, president of the Gamma Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

The Gamma Nu chapter held a collection drive for MLK Day and snack items were donated to the Claflin University Athletics Department. Additionally, members of the chapter also packed meals for children in local communities as part of their Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP) project. 

Edmond believes it is essential to honor King’s legacy in celebration of the progress made since the civil rights movement.

“His work laid the foundation for many of the freedoms and opportunities that students, particularly Black students, now enjoy,” Edmond said. “In an environment where education is a tool for empowerment, his legacy serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made for access to education, justice, and equal opportunity.”

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On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump was officially inaugurated as the country acknowledged MLK Day. Many students chose to opt out of watching the inauguration and celebrated MLK Day instead.  

Gabriella Green, a second-year student at Claflin, was among those who chose not to watch the inauguration. She felt the event was in direct contrast to what the day stands for.

“I felt disrespected for him (Dr. King) because that’s not what he would have wanted at all,” Green said. 

Green noted the importance of King’s legacy and believes it is essential to follow his beliefs and practices in the coming years.

“MLK was positive, a peaceful protester, and I feel like we should follow that,” she said. “We know this is not what we want right now, but in four years, anything can happen.” 

Above all else, she reminds other students to keep King’s memory alive.

Taking away importance of MLK Day

By ALHAYA BRICKLE

President Donald Trump was inaugurated inside the United States Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, the same day as the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Was this a coincidence? How do students at Claflin feel about this?

Sanaa Mims, a senior majoring in psychology, said, “Trump’s being inaugurated on that day was on purpose to take away from the importance of MLK Day.”

MLK Day has been celebrated for many years, honoring the life and work of King. It is known that the holiday encourages many to reflect on his principles of non-violent resistance and racial equality

It is also believed by many that Trump is a racist who follows the opposite of King’s principles, hence the distress many students at Claflin feel.

“I just think that Trump is trying to erase Black history,” said Janiya Evans, a senior. “Dr. King is up above, ashamed of what is happening right now.

She said Trump is further pushing the narrative about forgetting Black history by having his inauguration on that day purposefully and recently signing executive orders such as ending DEI and removing the Tuskegee Airmen from Air Force training.

Respond peacefully with love’

By EVAN JENKINS

Claflin Student Activity Board sophomore class representative Jayla Mcgill believes Martin Luther King Jr.’s work inspires modern social justice movements.

“Promoting nonviolent protest and civil disobedience has shaped modern social justice movements,” Mcgill said. “Martin’s most important lesson from his legacy is the power of perseverance and nonviolent resistance.”

His contributions are honored today through Martin Luther King Jr. Day, memorials and educational programs throughout the whole world,” Mcgill said. “Dr. King is truly deserving of all the recognition he is given and more.”

Derrion Campbell, the 22nd Mister Claflin University, believes he incorporates King’s teachings into his own life and work.

“As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., I can say that Dr. King truly inspires me daily. I am active in my community, aware of my place in society and passionate about spreading unity and positivity.”

Campbell said that MLK’s contributions have been represented and honored in modern culture.

“A lot of organizations commemorate his lifelong legacy through service, marches and other events that represent the impactful dream of Dr. King,” Campbell said.

“My friends jokingly refer to me as the MLK of the group because whenever opposition arrives, I strive to respond peacefully with love,” Campbell said.