Banner on Locust Walk honors King's birthday

Martin Luther King Jr. will be appearing on Locust Walk this week in spirit thanks to the many student groups who gathered yesterday afternoon to paint banners reflecting King's life and work. The banner painting marked the beginning of a series of events for the University's commemorative celebration of King, united by the common theme of "Every Person Can Make A Difference." Michelle Davis, program coordinator from the Program for Student-Community Involvement, explained that banner painting is a five-year-long tradition that began as a way of reminding all students that the holiday is a serious event. "The banners are reflections of what the holiday means to a particular group," she said. The groups participating in the banner painting run the gamut from African Rhythms to the Gospel Choir, with other groups such as Arts House Dance, the Drug and Alcohol Resource Team and American Marketing Association joining in as well. "I've participated in painting banners for the last three years," said Wharton senior Alaina Anderson, who was helping with the African Rhythms banner. "I think it's a great way to get people to think about how they can take action to make a difference." Anderson added that she hopes students will not simply notice the banners, but will also be inspired by them to start their semester off on a reactionary note. "This is the best possible way to start off my semester because it's a way of centering myself for the new year," she said. For Wharton sophomore Daina Richie, whose three roommates were also involved in painting, the banner meant more than just a reflection of the past. "Over the years, blacks have suffered so much," said Richie. "We want to show that we are still striving, and making progress, and that we can never lose hope. "Another important thing to think about in reference to the banners is the fact that we are able to attend this university largely due to King's efforts," said Engineering sophomore Angela Adams. Wharton sophomores J.P. Lespinasse and Matt Zubiler of the American Marketing Association were also hopeful that the banners would make a difference to the Penn Community. Their banner, which featured a sketch of King, also held the quote "The man who leaves the world a better place?never leaves." David Grossman, director of the Program for Student Community Involvement, took time out from painting his banner to explain what a great opportunity the banner painting was. "It's exiting to see students from diverse groups coming together for a common project," he said. "These banners with their decorative images and quotes will help to celebrate this important holiday by reaching out to the thousands of students who walk down Locust Walk." Dawn Baxter, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, had her own view of the situation. "Since we are not able to observe the holiday because of University policy, this is one of the ways that we can commemorate King," she said. Anderson said the tradition is a good start. "A quote can look great on a banner, but it takes more than that to do away with inequality," she said.