"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”
~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Music provided the background as many students, faculty, alumni, and staff gathered last Wednesday to celebrate and remember the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The event, held in the Gathering Place, honored Dr. King with a toast, readings from his speeches and writings, student poetry upholding his ideals, and the works of authors and quotes from historical figures that complimented King’s beliefs.
Nina Stachenfeld, Ph.D., Chair of the Diversity Committee at Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), gave the welcoming address. Of the celebration, Stachenfeld said, “It was great to see such a great turn out for such an important event; it seemed like most of the YSPH was there.”
The YSPH celebration of Dr. King’s life began several years ago when the university began observing Martin Luther King Day on the Monday following Dr. King’s birthday and the medical school stopped its tradition of inviting famous speakers for lecture’s and inspirational talks. The celebration is sponsored by YSPH’s Diversity Committee.
“The Diversity Committee really enjoyed continuing the tradition of honoring this American hero,” stated Stachenfeld. “Dr. King's messages continue to have resonance today; his message of strength with peace came through the readings by faculty, staff and alumni at the party."
Dr. Curtis Patton, Professor Emeritus began the celebration with a toast to celebrate Dr. King’s life. He also noted the life of Virginia M. Alexander, M.D., M.P.H., the first African American admitted to the M.P.H. program at Yale. Prior to arriving at Yale, Dr. Alexander had led a major investigation of social, economic and health problems in North Philadelphia. In this 1935 comprehensive study and report she: 1) argued that racial discrimination is the major factor in health disparities; 2) established that health equity in North Philadelphia depends on medical care and broader societal factors; and 3) she proposed the creation of a public health center in North Philadelphia to provide advanced training for black physicians, a model for the integration of medical facilities throughout the city. Patton remarked “She led by example, demonstrating marvelous insight, personal and intellectual courage, curiosity and a passion for people in need, a passion for medicine, public health and public health practice. She and Dr. King followed their bliss.”
Director of Alumni Affairs, Danielle S. Williams, J.D., concluded the afternoon’s program by reading “Where Do We Go From Here?” an annual report delivered by Dr. King at the 11th Convention of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on August 16, 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia:
And so I say to you today, my friends, that you may be able to speak with the tongues of men and angels; you may have the eloquence of articulate speech; but if you have not love, it means nothing. Yes, you may have the gift of prophecy; you may have the gift of scientific prediction and understand the behavior of molecules; you may break into the storehouse of nature and bring forth many new insights; yes, you may ascend to the heights of academic achievement so that you have all knowledge; and you may boast of your great institutions of learning and the boundless extent of your degrees; but if you have not love, all of these mean absolutely nothing. You may even give your goods to feed the poor; you may bestow great gifts to charity; and you may tower high in philanthropy; but if you have not love, your charity means nothing. You may even give your body to be burned and die the death of a martyr, and your spilt blood may be a symbol of honor for generations yet unborn, and thousands may praise you as one of history's greatest heroes; but if you have not love, your blood was spilt in vain. What I'm trying to get you to see this morning is that a man may be self-centered in his self-denial and self-righteous in his self-sacrifice. His generosity may feed his ego, and his piety may feed his pride. So without love, benevolence becomes egotism, and martyrdom becomes spiritual pride.
Williams ended her tribute to Dr. King by proclaiming to the audience, “Just remember, love will help.”