Chennai: It must have been a goosebumps moment for all those who had gathered at Hall M-28, Presidency College Wednesday. They were sitting in the same hall where American rights activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered a lecture during his historic visit to Chennai 18 February 1959, and watching a documentary about his famous speech ‘I have a dream’!
In commemoration of African-American History Month, the US Consulate General Chennai, in association with Presidency College, screened the documentary about Dr. King’s speech and reflected on his legacy.
Presidency College students were joined by students from Sri Lanka’s University of Jaffna via video conference.
Sixty years ago this month, Dr King, the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, visited Chennai (then Madras) and addressed the Presidency College students in Hall M-28 on 18 February 1959.
US Consulate General’s cultural affairs officer Moulik Berkana moderated the discussion and said, “Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. made a lasting impact on American society because of his leadership in the struggle for dignity and equality for all. Dr King was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr King travelled to India in 1959 to better understand Gandhi’s work and to pay homage to this great soul. A new generation of young people are, in turn, inspired by these two great leaders.”
The March is a renowned documentary film that recounts the historic 1963 March on Washington, DC, for jobs and freedom. It was on this occasion that Dr King delivered his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
National African-American History Month, celebrated every February, is an occasion to rediscover and recognise the enduring stories of African-Americans.