EMU Today

YPSILANTI – What are we doing – what are you doing – to engage the world around you?

That was the central question Keith Boykin asked members of the Eastern Michigan community as he gave the University’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day keynote address Monday (Jan. 21) in the Student Center Auditorium.  

Boykin, a New York Times best-selling author and a leading TV commentator on politics, race and sexual orientation, also served as Eastern’s MLK keynote speaker in 2010. He noted that “things have changed a bit since the last time I was here” in terms of the national scene, when Barack Obama was president and hope and optimism seemed to abound.

Boykin, who was a classmate of Obama’s at Harvard Law School, recalled the roots of his own activism, when he and other classmates pushed for greater diversity among the faculty. During one protest, he called out to the dean of the law school as he was passing by. The dean ignored him, despite Boykin’s repeated calls, and began to run away. Boykin gave chase. Unfortunately for the dean, he had run track in high school.

The picture ran in the Boston Globe the next day, offering Boykin a vivid lesson in one’s ability to affect change whatever your background, and of the value of speaking truth to power.

Boykin cited a variety of King’s speeches and writings in sketching how his message evolved and broadened over the years, to include his opposition to the Vietnam War and a deep concern not only for racial equality for economic equality as well. Boykin noted that King’s 1968 visit to Memphis, where he was assassinated, was prompted by a strike by city sanitation workers, who were seeking better working conditions and pay.

Boykin asked an interesting question that he’d like to pose to certain people today, perhaps those who subscribe to the message on MAGA hats.

“At what point do think America was truly great?” he asked.

Was it the 1950s, with all the imbedded racism? Was it the 1960s, with Vietnam and the anger it generated, along with the wide racial strife? Was it the 1970s, with Watergate? Was it the 1980s, with cutbacks in social programs? And so on.

“Just give me a year,” Boykin said.

Throughout his talk, Boykin emphasized the need to act, to do something if you see people in need. He spoke of the culture of fear as a “zero-sum game,” where one side wins and the other loses in terms of resources, whereas love teaches that there is enough for everyone.

“That doesn’t mean you won’t be afraid,” Boykin said, adding that the key is “recognizing your own fear and (persevering) in spite of it.”

He added that true leaders bring out the best in us, not the worst, asking the crowd, “What will you be, what will you do?” in response to injustice, inequality and hate today.

“Anybody can serve,” Boykin said, underscoring his call to action. “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But, above all, keep on moving.”

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 19,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.