State MLK Commission urges service, education

SALT LAKE CITY — To honor slained civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., members of the Utah MLK Human Rights Commission urge Utahns to treat the holiday as a day of service rather than a day "off" from work.

The Utah MLK Commission is a non-partisan, non-legislative, non-judiciary, and non-religious group that was created by executive order on July 1, 1991. Governor Gary Herbert oversees the MLK Commission. The commission’s role in the state is to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the year, by promoting equity, diversity, and human rights.

This year commission members want to honor Dr. King's legacy through service activities throughout the year — not just on the holiday.

In serving others, "you start having these experiences where you think 'wow,'" said Rob Harter, Christian Center of Park City. "When you actually go out and do something, people become real to you."

Harter, a commission member for about two years, said service can not only help educate people on what's happening in their communities but it can change lives, including the life of the person giving service. Harter watched that change happen for one of the volunteers in his Park City community.

"We had operation 'Toy Store' this past December, where we served about 1,400 kids," said Harter. "We had some volunteers from the community and one of the volunteers saw one of their neighbors. And she was almost in tears afterwards. She said, 'I had no idea you're one of my neighbors,' and their kids play on the same soccer team."

Commission members also want to encourage Utahns, especially the youth, to become educated on issues impacting human rights and to learn from historical events.

"We bring people in that can speak to their own personal experiences," said Adrienne Andrews, Special Assistant to the President, Weber State University. "Then our students say, 'wait a minute, that wasn't very long ago. You are living history.'"

Part of the overall education commission members hope for Utahns is "acknowledging that not everybody sees the world through the same set of eyes," said Ed Napia, Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake. "So it becomes everybody's responsibility to understand this and to celebrate that everybody is different."

Commission members admit, having these personal educational and service oriented experiences can be emotional; however, they said Utahns need to have crucial conversations regarding equity, diversity, and human rights.

"We need to talk about how people are privileged due to their class, due to their race, or due to their gender," said Karen Johnson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Education and Ethinc Studies, University of Utah. "So those are the things that need to be talked about, that need to be real, and people need to be prepared for the emotions that come forth."

Commission members said one approach to honoring Dr. King's legacy and to gain valuable education on matters of diversity, equity, and human rights, is to have empathy.

"I think all of us at one point or another has faced being treated differently," said Geoffrey Fattah, Public Information Officer, Utah Department of Heritage & Arts. "And I think if we just reach deep down and remember back to kindergarten 'how did that make you feel?' And then realize that maybe what you're doing to another person makes them feel similarly."

Utah colleges and universities have activities throughout MLK holiday and upcoming weeks to help people find learning and service opportunities.

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