KING DAY 2009 ESSAY COMPETITION: “Times of Challenge and Controversy"

This year’s theme is drawn from Dr. King’s reminder that we are not to be measured by how we act in times of “comfort and convenience,” but how we act in times of “challenge and controversy” (Strength to Love, 1963).

Dr. Calvin Mackie, in his address at the 2008 IU King Day Celebration, spoke of his disappointment in many leaders’ reaction to the devastation of his hometown, New Orleans, in the wake of hurricane Katrina, and how poorly served the people of Louisiana were in this time of challenge. His recent book, A View from the Roof: Lessons for Life and Business, urges every person to undertake the following endeavors:

1) Serving others to help them grow and develop as human beings

2) Solving problems that prevent people from reaching their potential

3) Promoting and saving causes that benefit humankind

The MLK Day Essay Committee invites graduate and undergraduate students of IUB to submit an original essay that draws on their experience to respond to this question:

How have you [or someone you admire] answered Dr. Mackie’s call, and begun to take action to fulfill the expectation Dr. King held for all people in times of “challenge and controversy”?

Successful essays will answer the question, make specific reference not only to the writer’s personal experience and observations, but also to the life, times, and writings of Dr. King.

• Length: 1,000-1,500 words (4-5 pages)

• Eligibility: All IUB graduate and undergraduate students*

*previous first-place award winners are not eligible

• Prizes: To be awarded in both graduate and undergraduate categories:

1^st: 32 GB I-Touch + iHome iH9B6 Speaker

2^nd: 8 GB I-Touch + iHome iH9B6 Speaker

3^rd: 16 GB I-Pod Nano

• Submissions:

Writers should submit six (6) copies of their completed essays by 5:00 pm on Monday, December 8, 2008, to the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, Bryan Hall, Room 115. ESSAYS SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO JUDGES OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED. To ensure blind judging, writers should not show drafts or final copies of their essays to committee members or judges. Writers should place their names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses on a separate sheet; their names should not appear in the text of their essays. First-place winners will be asked to read their essays at the MLK Breakfast on Monday, January 19, 2