Throughout his career in law and higher education, Holy Cross President Vincent Rougeau has worked to promote human rights, human dignity and a community that champions both.
In an op-ed commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and published by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Rougeau offered some thoughts about Martin Luther King's legacy in our current era.
Rougeau, whose parents were a part of a coalition of parents who developed the first integrated preschools in Atlanta, shared a unique childhood event that occurred after King's funeral that was relayed to him by his mother.
"My mother, Shirley Small-Rougeau, remembers the enormous crowds, the calm dignity of the King family and the lingering image of little black boys and girls standing hand-in-hand with little white boys and girls, just as in Dr. King's dream," said Rougeau.
Despite the progress that has been made since, Rougeau believes that more needs to be done, but "no one does this work alone."
"In moments of comfort and convenience, and in times of challenge and controversy, each of us can lift up those who continue to struggle and for whom this society has been less equitable or kind," said Rougeau. "We are at our best as a society when we are open to the possibilities of the many and when we look beyond ourselves to see the extraordinary promise in one another."
To read the commentary, go to Telegram.com.
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