Keeping the dream alive By MAURICE J. BLACKMON Columnist M.II3S2IO@PSU.EDU Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is known throughout the world for his dedication to acquiring freedom for all people. With a steadfast, yet peaceful, demeanor, his powerful voice and even deeper message touched the lives of millions and changed the world. On Aug. 23, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King echoed four simple words that are now engraved in the world's history: I have a dream. It comes to no surprise that the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is nationally celebrated. Throughout the nation, he is revered and honored for his selfless contributions to humanity. What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did while he was alive did not end when he passed away. On the contrary, his teachings began resonating even more after his untimely death. Penn State Harrisburg sophomore Wilbert Lawrence felt that Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech was a cry for equality and justice. He stated that Dr. King spoke for all human beings when he talked about his dream of America actually living up to its doctrine, if you will, and treat all men equally, since that is the way we were created. Lawrence views the speech as a map for humanity to follow, ultimately resulting in the peaceful co-existence of all people. "The dream is a reality, even at Penn State Harrisburg. Our chancellor is not Black, but plenty of her staff is," The value of phi By THOMAS BROWN Guest Columnist TRBSO76@PSU.EDU "Mankind, ever since there have been civilized communities, have been confronted with two different kinds of problems. On one hand, there has been the problem of mastering natural forces... This problem, in the modern world, is dealt with by science and scientific technique... But there is a second problem, less precise, and by some mistakenly regarded as unimßortant—,l mean the problem of how to best utilize our command over the forces of nature. This includes such burning issues as democracy versus dictatorship, capitalism versus socialism, international government versus international anarchy, free speculation versus authoritarian dogma. On such issues the laboratory can give no decisive guidance." This quote from Bertrand Russell, one of the 20th Century's most prominent philosophers, aptly illustrates the importance of philosophy in our lives and our society. However, much to my dismay (and I'm sure to Russell's as well), it appears as though this tremendous importance is being seriously under-appreciated in our generation. Philosophy, as a subject, is essentially nonexistent in secondary education and, Lawrence said in reference to a time when Blacks were not offered the same job opportunities as Whites. "That's the dream being fulfilled right there." Lawrence's own personal dream is for everyone to respect all races. He continued, "You don't have to like everyone, but you can respect them for who they are." His messaged was echoed by freshman Alfredo Rivera, who feels that Dr. King's dream is relevant in his life. "Dr. King's dream was for everyone to be united, and not divided by hate," said Rivera. Rivera said that Dr. King's dream inspires him to be a better person; instead of judging people based on their appearances, he lets people's characters speak for them. "Dr. Martin Luther King's dream is just barely beginning to come true," said Rivera. "People from past generations still remain close minded, ignorant to what one may have to offer because of what they look like." On the contrary, he feels our generation is more open-minded and willing to accept diversity. Rivera said, "As generations are going by, we are getting closer and closer to Dr. King's dream." Rivera's personal dream is similar to Dr. King's because he felt "it's just so brilliant!" He feels we should all be united into one human race, without dividing ourselves up into various races. "We're all brothers and sisters," he stated. Student Government Association Vice President Martin Santalucia even at the university level, the number of students who have no knowledge, appreciation or even concept of the subject is saddening. Furthermore, many of the students who have acquainted themselves with the philosophy have done so only to satisfy a general education requirement. Their goal is solely a grade rather than the acquisition of greater knowledge and understanding. The issue of the current disinterest in philosophy is one that must surely be addressed. This could, perhaps, be accomplished by "lightening" philosophy itself. Philosophy, in its classical sense and to the true philosophers, is a broadly encompassing quest for knowledge and an understanding not only of humans but of the Universe as a whole. This is, indeed, a daunting task and may be reserved for a select few—those inspired by passion for knowledge accompanied by an adequate fit right in with the others, saying, "People simply treating each other as people is what Dr. Martin Luther King's dream is all about." Santalucia, freshmen Political Science major, feels as though race should never be a factor when it comes to the treatment of a person. "We are all people!" he exclaimed. "We all deserve to be respected at least that's how I try and treat people." He also felt that Dr. King's dream was very idealistic. Without sounding ungrateful for Dr. King's dream, he stated that most good concepts are idealistic. The speech was, for the most part, a starting point, at which humanity would look at itself and make necessary modifications. "The speech was important, yes," stated Santalucia, "but it was more so an accumulation of everything that Dr. King had already been doing." Santalucia's own personal dream is to see everyone treat everyone else equally in the most genuine way possible. He wishes everyone could judge one another based on the quality of their character, as Dr. King also desired. People of all ages have had time to digest the message that Dr. King's life sent to the world. We are now, as the human race, beginning to understand what he wanted and apply it to our lives. It is because of Dr. Martin Luther King that we may not need another leader like him to carry his work on. His work is capable enough to stand alone and to make itself present and relevant in all of our lives. intellectual capacity. However, this should, by no account, exclude the rest of us from the benefits of philosophy and the philosophical method. Whether your talents and interests lie with chemistry, biology and physics or with government, sociology and psychology, the critical and unprejudiced nature of the philosophical approach may provide as much utility to a particular study as it does to the vast expanse of philosophy and knowledge itself. If we approach our given fields critically, our discoveries will surely be more profound. And, just as importantly, we must do so with an open mind and free from prejudices—a receptiveness to and understanding of contradictory evidence and opposing opinions will, at least, create a more solid foundation for our own position. It is this universal applicability and utility of the philosophical approach that may be the true value of Students take a trip of a lifetime By MARIN BENDORITIS Editor in Chief MABS33B@PSU.EDU A study abroad trip to Ecuador in December provided students with a unique opportunity to experience South American cultures and sites. The study tour traveled to multiple cities in Ecuador, stopping in Quito, Loja, Cuenca and Vilcabama. "It amazing experience, I learned so its diverse climate zones in the The trip was hosted by Professor much," said Oliver Eisler, a student mountain range of the Andes, and Jose L. Vargas Vila, who will be on on the trip. the difference in gravity between another trip to Morocco this May. Students were able to see the to continents at the middle of the Contact jlvloapsu.edu for more details. osophy philosophy. Now, let's go a step further. If philosophy's value and importance is still unclear, consider another passage from Mr. Russell that shows, above all else, philosophy's necessity to health, not of the body, but to the health of the mind. "...if we are not to fail in our endeavour to determine the value of philosophy, we must first free our minds from the prejudices of what are wrongly called 'practical' men. The 'practical' man, as this word is often used, is one who recognizes only material society; and even in the existing world the goods of the mind are at least as important as the goods of the body. It is exclusively among the goods of the mind that the value of philosophy is to be found..." To address and confront issues like these, the students of Penn State Harrisburg are working to form a Philosophy Club. The club will be open to all interested students, and information can be obtained elsewhere in the paper. THE CAPITAL TIMES February 4, 2008 different cultures of the cities, as well as contrast the Inca and colonial past of Ecuador to its modern aspects. They experienced daily life in Ecuador, learning about the customs, traditions, parades, dances, religious celebrations, etc. At the same time, they learned about the country's amazing variety of tropical fruits and vegetables, needs, who realizes that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind. If all men were well off, if poverty and disease had been reduced to their lowest possible point, there would still remain much to be done to produce a valuable world latitude. The trip also included a trip to a part of the Andes mountain range. Students spent a night in Vilcamamba Valley, know as the Longevity Town, in thte rainforests of South Africa. This secluded town provided students a night without any city noise and the serenity of the rain forest. J.L Vargas Villa Photo courtesy
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