Sharpton keynotes awards reception

The controversial political figure urged his audience to fight social inequality. The Rev. Al Sharpton, a high-profile social activist, spoke to about 100 people yesterday in Meyerson Hall, stressing the value of working to make a difference in the world. Sharpton was the keynote speaker at an event honoring two West Philadelphia residents for their service work in the community at the University's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Public Reception yesterday. The ceremony was part of a six-week long celebration entitled "Keeping the Dream Alive," organized by the African-American Resource Center. Sharpton, a New Yorker, is a controversial civil rights activist who made his reputation leading marches protesting racist incidents. Many criticized Sharpton for his role in inciting the Crown Heights riots and a racially motivated murder-arson in Harlem. But he has moved toward the mainstream in recent years during unsuccessful bids for a Senate seat and the democratic nomination for mayor of New York. During his address, Sharpton urged the crowd to remember that people's vision of King today is "not who Martin Luther King really was." As years pass, Sharpton continued, people "seem to dilute Dr. King more and more." He emphasized that many civil rights leaders are often criticized by others, because "if you do what is right, you will be faced by opposition." King's message, Sharpton said, was one of justice and fairness that was intended to challenge a "socially unequal society," and that his legacy is to "put value in doing good over having goods." Sharpton also advised the audience to live life to the fullest. "Live your life so that when it's over, someone could say you were not a waste of time and not a waste of space and that your living was not in vain," he said. The Martin Luther King Community Involvement Recognition Awards were presented to area residents C.B. Kimmins and Julia Chinn in honor of their work improving the West Philadelphia community. Kimmins was recognized for his work with a coalition called Mantua Against Drugs, which attempts to rid the streets of drugs and violence. He was also commended for a program he created -- C.B.'s Role Models -- in which volunteers visit schools in impoverished areas and stress to the students that they can achieve success even in the face of adversity. In his speech, Kimmins thanked University President Judith Rodin for her work in improving Penn's relationship with the surrounding community. Kimmins also pointed to Sharpton as an example of someone who has fought for a cause. "You can't sit down and talk about getting involved," Kimmins said. "You've got to come out and get the scars." Chinn, the other recipient of the award, was commended for her work in several groups: the Cobbs Creek Town Watch, the Healthy Start Initiative, the Move Commission and the White Rock Baptist Church. Chinn said that it is "indeed an honor and a great pleasure to receive an award related to Martin Luther King." She added that she had "the great pleasure" to meet King when he stopped at the White Rock Church during a visit to Philadelphia. The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Involvement Recognition Award was also presented to Penn Hillel Director Jeremy Brochin for his promotion of communications between Hillel and the residents of West Philadelphia in a ceremony January 18.