EDITORIAL: A fitting tribute to a great man

Learning, through classes and special programs, is the best way to honor Dr. King's memory. Penn holds classes today, and that is appropriate. What better way to remember Dr. King -- ever a strong advocate of the power of an educated mind -- than by learning? We go to class today not because we have declined to honor the memory of Dr. King, but because we can imagine no finer, more appropriate way to do so. But learning does not end in the classroom and we strongly encourage students to participate in the events being sponsored by many student groups and campus organizations over the next six weeks. Many of these activities will focus on social activism -- civil rights, community service, social and economic justice and prevention of violence. Others are educational programs, designed to increase awareness of other cultures and communities. Both types of programs honor Dr. King by working to make his vision a reality and we encourage students to join in both by learning and by working. Furthermore, we hope that students do not simply participate in the particular commemoration of Dr. King in their particular community. Instead, we hope this day brings students from a diversity of backgrounds together to commemorate a man who held such gatherings as his highest ideal. But truly commemorating Dr. King requires more than one day -- or even six weeks -- of reflection and activism. It requires a continued pursuit of the ideals he cherished and a continuing attempt to educate ourselves about other peoples and communities. And so, when Tuesday dawns, we hope that students do not simply move on with their lives. Pause for a moment today to reflect on Dr. King and his message -- what he means to you and what you can do to make his memory lasting and meaningful. And take advantage of your moment of reflection to commit yourself to further moments of action in the days and years ahead.