At "A Vision Redefined," the convocation in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., keynote speaker Chuck Stone remembered King as a drum major.

Stone, a Walter Spearman professor of journalism and mass communications at the University of North Carolina and former Philadelphia Daily News columnist, called on the audience to remember King not as a Nobel Peace Prize winner, but as a drum major for love, peace and righteousness.

"It is easier to remember him as a dreamer and preacher of the Gospel and not as a revolutionary and drum major leading people," he added.

King's legacy, like that of John the Baptist, was one of faith -- with works and suffering for redemption, Stone said.

"Yet in the revisionism of our memories we have tried to make Martin what we want him to be. . . . We all define him by one event -- the March on Washington and the 'I Have a Dream' speech," Stone said.

Stone stressed that King should not be remembered for only one speech and asked the audience to recall the other messages that King preached.

Stone described King as a "burning, shining light." It is tragic that for some, the fight for civil rights ended with King's death, Stone said. People should not just rejoice over King's accomplishments, but must also believe in the integrity of his message, he added.

"As a nation we have abandoned the ideal of Martin's dream but celebrate the holiday," Stone said.

The nation is having a racial crisis of the spirit, Stone said, attributing it to President Bush's lack of legislative action. The president says he supports a pluralistic and multicultural society, but his actions speak differently -- including his veto of the Civil Rights Bill, Stone said.

Some students agreed that Bush's apparent beliefs have not taken the form of laws.

"George Bush says he stands for one thing, but he doesn't support it with laws," said Faye Benn (graduate-exercise and sport science).

It is time to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light because many things remain undone, Stone said. He referred to poverty, unemployment and educational opportunities for children.

"We dare celebrate because we need to be reminded every year that the journey is not finished," he said.

Some students agreed that strides must be taken before the realization of King's integrated society can be achieved.

"It (the message students leave with) should be one of realizing that we still need to work together and that we need to do a lot as a community," said Gail Williams, president of Black Caucus.

"It is time for us to revigorate and activate King's dream," Stone said. "It is time to unite, join hands, take up our beds and walk."