Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore connected the past with the present by playing remixes of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s “I Have a Dream” speech Tuesday.
Elmore addressed a crowd of about 25 students and faculty members in the second annual Black History Month lecture, “Remix the King: Dreaming of Justice with Freestyle and Twitter on my Mind,” at the Metcalf Trustee Center.
“It’s so important that we remember Martin Luther King Jr. and that young people remember him,” Elmore said.
Elmore, who has been Dean of Students at Boston University since 2003, was asked to be the speaker at the lecture by the African American Studies Program, which hosted the event.
“[The African American Studies Program] has been thinking about building a relationship with the student community, and so we brought someone from outside instead of from outside,” said Program Acting Director and professor Gene Jarett.
Organizers originally scheduled the lecture for Feb. 9, but postponed it due to the death of BU sophomore Michael DeVito, Elmore said.
Elmore played remixes of King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, emphasizing the importance of connecting the past with the younger generations.
If they hear the speech in a context that would hold more appeal, young people will better understand where they come from, Elmore said.
This “conscious hip-hop” changes static images into a more current format, which young people can more easily relate to, he said.
The main point of Elmore’s speech was keeping King and all those involved in the Civil Rights Movement current.
“I’m always thinking about my son and daughter,” Elmore said, as he explained why he felt so strongly about passing on the message to future generations.
Elmore also talked about the significance of pop culture.
“Pop culture is important to me because young people are important to me,” he said.”It develops and builds movements.”
When talking about movements, Elmore brought up grassroots movements of both the present and past.
“The grassroots are different now, but the grassroots are still there,” he said.
Elmore also shared his views on President Barack Obama.
“I don’t think he makes the connection for young people well enough,” he said. “My biggest problem with Barack Obama right now isn’t Obama, but the people who aren’t holding him accountable.”
Students said they enjoyed hearing Elmore speak about King.
“I wanted to go initially because I always enjoy hearing Dean Elmore speak,” said College of Engineering junior Kurt Abrams. “I feel like he leaves his speeches pretty open . . . leaves it open to interpretation.”
Abena Kwakyi, also an ENG junior, said he liked the lecture because it connected the past and the present.
“Building the relationships between the icons and the past and the current generation [is especially important],” he said.
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