High self-esteem and high standards are the keys to keeping alive the dream of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a Louisiana state senator told a gathering of students, staff and community members in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center last night.

"Knowledge is power," Senator Cleo Fields said. "Believe in yourself."

Fields said students must focus on utilizing the gifts they have, not on the things they don't have. In this way, students can carry on where King left off, he said.

Fields stressed the importance of education in developing what he called "a designer mind."

"You must not graduate this institution just to get a job," Fields said.

Instead, students should use their degrees to help their communities by setting up scholarship funds and starting businesses, Fields said.

Economic inequality is the root of many other societal imbalances, he said, and one of the ways to attack these imbalances is to see that all people who want to go to college get that opportunity.

Fields urged students not to wait to get involved with political issues but to get involved now by registering to vote or even running for office. He quoted King as saying a voteless people are a hopeless people.

Dedication and service have no age requirements, he added.

"You've heard Public Enemy say, 'Fight the power,' " Fields said. "Don't fight the power. Get the power, and when you get the power, use the power to fight."

Fields gave the example of a group of Louisiana college students who decided to lobby the state government to require race relations courses in university curriculums. Because of their pro-active effort, the course will be mandatory starting in 1991.

"This race relations course in Louisiana is excellent," Fields said, "and the students really appreciate it. And it was students who came together from all walks of life and said, 'We want it.' "

Fields said King's dream must be followed every day and not just celebrated once a year.

About 50 people attended Fields' speech.

Liz Walker, University chapter president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said she was moved by the speech, though she was disappointed that more people didn't attend.

"He addressed issues that affect us as college students today," Walker said. "He also addressed black and white issues that are very pertinent to us today."

Ossie Parker (graduate-non-degree) said Fields' message was very positive.

"I'm inspired to go out and inspire my kids and to build up their self-esteem," Parker said.

Fields' speech was sponsored by NAACP and the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team as a part of the week-long celebration of King's birthday.