Oftentimes, I forget how much of an impact Boston University has had on the world. Alexander Graham Bell, a professor of the mechanism of speech, invented the telephone by BU's original campus. Martin Luther King wasn't Doctor Martin Luther King until he got his doctorate in systematic theology at Boston University. There are countless other alumni that the world is eternally grateful for, but it's Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy that I feel around me constantly on campus.

Back in November, after the election, I posted a photo to Instagram with words from BU's President, Robert Brown, noting that in 1839, Boston University was founded by abolitionists who abhorred slavery. He also wrote that BU will "flourish if we adhere to the to enduring principles that have defined our community for 150 years: respect for all people and their right to freedom of expression, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for reasoned arguments and scientific findings." I found myself comforted by these words, knowing that whatever challenges we may face as a community, BU is there to keep it all together.

It was Dr. King's time at BU that gave him the idea of peaceful protests, modeled after Mohandas Ghandi. Howard Thurman, the dean of Marsh Chapel at the time, was the one who introduced Dr. King to Ghandi's teachings. Dr. King attended Howard Thurman's sermons and also turned to him for mentorship and spiritual advisory.

While we may not speak about Dr. King as much as we did in elementary school, I think taking the time to pause and remember his actions and words and everything he ever did for this country. As the world around us may not seem as joyful as it should be, remember that there is power within your words and your actions. You may not agree with me or others, but take the time to respect how far we've come and how far we've got to go.