The Multi-Cultural Student Coalition is an alliance of students deeply committed to social justice and the principles of exclusivity, integrity, responsibility and respect. Naturally, we find that it is our duty to serve as an ""umbrella organization"" to provide a voice for students who relate to our mission. What makes this so beautiful is the variety of individuals who are able to find characteristics within themselves to identify with MCSC's qualities. We are unique in the sense that we do not allow our differences to tear us apart, but instead to unite us. MCSC has decided to indulge in the opportunity to provide our united expressions via this regularly-printed column. We are student representatives of a collective, an organization that embodies the viewpoints of our mission's followers.
It is important to carefully amplify our perspective on various issues. We take such action in the hope that we will extend our knowledge of the past, express our reactions to current issues and attract a greater population to our historically influenced mission. The great Martin Luther King Jr. once stated that ""Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."" This serves as an appropriate explanation for why our coalition exists and why you will see this column for the remainder of this semester.
Dr. King's teachings are part of the legacies, lessons and practices that have contributed to molding society into what it is today. Monday, Jan. 18 was a day nationally recognized as an American holiday in which we celebrate his contributions by dedicating the day to service. On this day, we each attempt to imitate what King devoted his entire life to.
King has taught us to attack issues of social justice through service and acts of nonviolence. He dedicated tremendous effort toward transforming America into the ""Beloved Community."" He imagined this to be filled with citizens devoted to the uplifting of our individual communities, to the empowerment of each other and toward looking past any differences that may exist. As Americans who are inspired by King's dream, we subconsciously attempt to contribute to the continuation of accomplishing what he has envisioned. Potential exists within each of us to be an asset toward his vision.
Keeping King's ""Beloved Community"" in mind, what are we doing today to uplift and empower each other? We have become known as the ""Me Generation"" with the stereotype of focusing on the upbringing of ourselves as individuals rather than ourselves as a population. Perhaps we should consider realigning our efforts toward aiding the individual and community simultaneously, as we cannot each succeed alone. Existing as a coalition brings so many advantages, extreme support and the opportunity to make such a great impact as long as it remains intact.
MCSC attempts to advance King's dream by enriching the UW-Madison community as a coalition. We want our content in this column to open dialogue amongst students here at UW. This is a small measure in which we can embark in sharing our individual knowledge so that we may empower each other and further expand our cultural competence. This is an expansion of the Wisconsin Experience, a way for us to learn from each other without the use of the classroom. This proves that as UW students within this coalition, our knowledge is developed 24 hours a day.
In dedication to King, it is only appropriate to close by quoting him. He once said, ""An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."" Let us not forget the legacy that we have inherited from great leaders such as King. More importantly, let's continue to provide additions to this legacy.
Danielle Harris is a member of the Multi-Cultural Student Coalition. Please send all responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
