FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover once declared Martin Luther King Jr. "the most dangerous man in America and a moral degenerate."
Nevertheless, King's words and nonviolent protests moved the United States to push for civil rights and change.
King's influence continues today. It inspired the city of Tempe to honor diversity with an annual awards ceremony recognizing individuals, businesses and community groups that support diversity in Tempe.
More than 100 people attended this year's Diversity Awards Ceremony, Tempe's sixth.
"The individuals of the organizations that we are honoring here today, they've been deliberate in making sure they've given care to their work of building and strengthening diversity in our community," said Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano.
"One might say that my very existence right now as a full-fledged citizen was something inconceivable only three generations ago," said Alonzo Jones, assistant dean of student life at ASU. "And so now I'm able to stand here before you today...because the life of a great man and countless other individuals refuse to believe that there are superior and inferior races."
Edward Ableser, who teaches multicultural awareness at ASU, received one of the awards.
He was recognized for helping the homeless in Tempe. Since Tempe does not have homeless shelters, Ableser, formed a ministry that provides aid for the homeless.
Other events celebrating King include a student rally for diversity from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jan. 28 in front of the Memorial Union; a unity walk at 9 a.m. Jan. 31 beginning in various East Valley cities and ending at Tempe Town Lake and a re-enactment of the March on Washington, D.C. from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at west campus.
Reach the reporter at lynda.cruz@asu.edu.
