Today and Thursday, we will commemorate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was shot and killed while fighting for workers' rights on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. While the emphasis of his early work was on issues of destroying racial inequality, one cannot ignore the fact that Dr. King fought for the inalienable rights of all men and women.

We will show two films on Dr. King's life -- "From Montgomery to Memphis" and "Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Man for Peace," at 8 tonight in the study lounge of the sixth of floor Beaver Hall.

We will hold a candlelight vigil on the 23rd anniversary of Dr. King's assassination at 7 p.m. tomorrow on the steps outside Beaver Hall . While this vigil is held on a day that traditionally honors Dr. King, this vigil will honor all our ancestors who were raped, castrated, beaten, imprisoned, lynched, shot, maimed, sold and especially those who died fighting oppression in all of its forms.

In this war against oppression, Dr. King was their spokesperson. He took their message and waged a global war against institutionalized racism. Dr. King was only as strong as the grassroots movement of people who were willing to live and die for what he, and they, believed in.

On behalf of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interest House, I invite you to attend these two brief programs. It is our way of acknowledging that we are only here because of the sacrifices and deaths of our ancestors. Show your appreciation for your ancestors and let this vigil be "in honor of those who died yesterday, so we could be here today!"