It was a hot, humid, sunny summer afternoon, on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies. The date was June 20, 1965. An audience of over four-hundred students, dressed in the then required red undergraduate gown, their guests and government dignitaries, led by the Governor General, Sir Clifford Campbell, gathered in the University’s Assembly Hall for that year’s valedictory service. The guest speaker at that service was no less a dignitary than the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King’s visit and speech were much anticipated and a very high point for the agenda of the university, and for Jamaicans as a whole.

Many Jamaicans had been following the activities of MLK, the leading civil rights figure in the USA. They lauded his accomplishments, were fascinated with his non-violent approach in the face of continued racism. They celebrated with other Blacks the powerful and passionate speech he made at the Washington Mall and were excited that MLK and his wife, the dignified Coretta Scott-King, were present in Jamaica.

The speech was to be broadcast live to the nation that afternoon.

The valedictory service, which was originally planned to be held in the university’s historical chapel, had to be moved to the assembly hall to accommodate the large crowd that showed up to see Dr. King.

When Dr. and Mrs. King arrived, accompanied by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Sir Phillip Sherlock, his wife and daughter, there was roaring applause from the audience.

Latecomers, myself included, had to stand at the back of the auditorium. But none of us were deterred as we were all caught up in the historic moment, and eagerly anticipated the reverend’s speech. It was a privilege to be there and see this great man in the flesh.

My first impression on seeing MLK was how humble and unassuming and refreshed he looked, despite his significant achievements for civil rights, under stressful circumstances. Dressed in a dark suit, he just seemed like an ordinary, everyday guy, but exuded confidence.

But when he spoke, in that distinctive Southern American accent, it was a different thing. Here was a man, a speaker, who was the epitome of eloquence. I, like most people, hated long speeches, but I wished that MLK could have spoken for hours, as he had us spellbound with his 40-minute refreshing and inspirational speech dubbed ‘Facing the Challenges of a New Era’.

The essence of MLK’s speech that June afternoon was for those graduating to be the best of whatever they chose to be. Of course, the great civil rights leader gave many great speeches, but for me, that is the speech that stands out, particularly because it encouraged one to not accept mediocrity, whatever one’s role in life is, but, rather, to be the best.

In his characteristic stance, head slightly tilted to one side, his face serious, eyes focused on his audience, and speaking from his heart, without notes, MLK exhorted the graduates and all those listening in the audience and across the broadcasting footprint in Jamaica that if you are a street sweeper, you should be the best and “sweep the streets like Raphael painted pictures, like Michaelangelo carved marble, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, and like Beethoven composed music. Sweep the streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth would have to pause and say here lived a great street sweeper.”

Words to newly independent Jamaica

Those words have resonated with historians of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., and were the lines mostly remembered by many who heard his speech that day. But his speech also had direct reference for recently independent Jamaica, barely three years old. He told Jamaicans that the old order of things, the old colonial order, had passed away, and there was a new day – a day when people were independent, but still a part of a new worldwide brotherhood, one that made men and women across borders increasingly interdependent.

This interdependency was brought about by the need to fight all kinds of injustice, to spread love, and for all mankind, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, educated and non-educated to be the best at whatever were or wanted to be. Another memorable message to Jamaicans was when King said, “Whenever a new nation comes into history, it brings with it new challenges and new responsibilities. The great challenge facing all of us today is to somehow stand before the opportunities of the moment and face the challenges of the hour with creativity and with commitment and with determination.”

Needless to say, after the speech Rev. King received a roaring standing ovation. Some people in the audience tried rushing up to him to get a handshake and an autograph as he departed, but while a few succeeded, the nation’s security forces, ensured that he was not mobbed, and disappointedly he was rushed to his waiting car and was whisked away to a dinner that was being hosted by Sir Clifford and Lady Campbell.

The buzz among the audience that lingered in and around the Assembly Hall, after Rev. King departed was how inspirational and awesome his speech had been. Some people were amazed that he had made such a forceful speech without notes. The consensus was that this man will be a great force in America for years to come.

No one could ever imagine that despite the dangers of Rev. King’s involvement in the civil rights movement, he just had three more years to live. But, at the time we had little doubt that he would open new paths for Blacks in America, and as he would say in another speech shortly before his death, “lead them to the mountain top.”

Dr. King delivered another nationally broadcast speech in which he thanked Jamaicans for their hospitality and show of warmth and love, saying he felt more at home in Jamaica than anywhere else in the world.

---

Add this article to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites