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Northern Illinois Community Members Reflect On King's Legacy

NIU NAACP President Amirius Clinton stands in the MLK Commons in DeKalb

It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the birth and life of the civil rights leader

Amirius Clinton is the president of the NAACP chapter at NIU. He says the day is not just a day off work or out of school, but an opportunity to remember King's character.

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NIU NAACP President Amirius Clinton encourages students to use the holiday to uplift others

The local chapter experienced a rebirth on campus last semester. Clinton says the group spent that time helping students register to vote.

He says he feels society cannot grow when a social and racial divide exists. He says students and residents should raise awareness if they encounter injustice, and he urges it to be patterned after King's commitment to non-violence.

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Amirius Clinton talks about the importance of nonviolent advocacy

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of a "Beloved Community" in several of his speeches. His vision, and that of other religious and civic leaders, was to encourage goodwill globally.

DeKalb's own Beloved Community gathers monthly for a potluck and discussion. The topics vary, but are meant to draw different people around the same table.

Beth Campen is one of the group's organizers. She says characteristics of the Civil Rights Movement involved faith, youth, inclusiveness and humility:

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Beloved Community organizer Beth Campen talks about the role of humility during the Civil Rights Movement

Ronald Holden is a computer science major at NIU, and a participant at recent gatherings. He says what he admires most about King was his inclusiveness.

"He wanted to move in the direction where we are all on the same page, where we all see each other as brothers and sisters and that we live in a community together where we get along, we respect each other, and we love each other."

A good chunk of the calendar year follows King's holiday. Holden says he is hopeful for 2017 and beyond.

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NIU student Ronald Holden talks about civic engagement in 2017

Holden says as he reflects on the legacy of King, it's also clear there is still work to be done as a society.

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NIU student Ronald Holden talks about the work needed to be done to preserve King's legacy

NIU's Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week will be celebrated January 16-20, 2017. 

Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.