Students at one of the campus events are hosted by the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement and the MLK Celebration Committee.

Contemplating MLK's inspiring words

January 12, 2024

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Commitment to humanity is a mixture of intention and action. We must set out with the intentional decision to act from a place of respect and understanding while withholding expectations and preconceived notions. We must trust in our own judgment enough to support the people we hope to build community with in order to achieve our goals.

headshot of Ny'Asia Flowers
Ny'Asia Flowers
University of Richmond senior

Committing to humanity is about committing to the personal growth it takes to believe that humanity, in all its forms, is worth fighting for. It's about showing up in honest, authentic ways and pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones.

headshot of Trey Hartt
Trey Hartt
co-founder and managing director of The Hive, which provides healing programs as alternatives to youth incarceration

To commit to humanity is to acknowledge and honor your own humanity and then acknowledge and honor the humanity in every person you interact with.

headshot of Dana Wiggins
Dana Wiggins
director of the Center for Economic Justice, Virginia Poverty Law Center

'Commit to Humanity' comes straight from MLK urging young people to pursue the common good, alongside their own career. Committing to humanity means that we don't just ask ourselves: 'What do I want to do?' but 'What does my fellow man need me to do?'

headshot of Libby Germer
Libby Germer
interim assistant director of student engagement & the Bonner Scholars Program

King's words inspire us to contribute to the solution, not only for ourselves but for our nation and the world. It is the ultimate call to service for mankind.

headshot of Anthony Crenshaw
Anthony Crenshaw
director of operations and strategic initiatives, Bonner Center for Civic Engagement