NAACP MLK, Jr. Day Celebration

Keynote Address by Stephanie Bulger, President, Lane Community College, at the NAACP MLK, Jr. Day Celebration, January 20, 2025

Good morning, Governor Kotek, our local elected officials, members of the Eugene-Springfield NAACP, community leaders, neighbors, and friends.

It is an honor to stand with you today to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Together, we gather not just to reflect on the past, but to commit to shaping a future of justice and equity for all.

The Eugene-Springfield NAACP has long been a pillar of justice in our community. Your dedication has not only advanced equity, but has inspired generations to stand tall in the fight for equality. Today’s march—echoing those that Dr. King led—is a vivid reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

When I first arrived in Oregon two and a half years ago, I was struck by the complex, layered history of this state—a place of both astonishing beauty and great contradictions. While Oregon has been a beacon for many, it also harbors a history that includes exclusionary laws, the forced removal of Indigenous peoples, and systemic racism that echoes through our present day. Oregon’s legacy of injustice is something we cannot ignore. But, it is also in Oregon where I have witnessed incredible resilience—the will to fight for a better tomorrow.

In my work at Lane Community College, I have had the privilege of meeting people whose stories exemplify that resilience. From community members who have fought tirelessly for equity, to students whose journeys through education represent both challenges and triumphs, I have seen firsthand the strength of this community. In this place, where the rich history of our state intersects with its future, we must simply confront uncomfortable truths and work collectively to reach our goal of creating an equitable society.

Dr. King’s legacy calls us to that same resolve. His vision was not just a dream—it was a mandate for action. His words still resonate: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. ” We are here today because Dr. King dedicated his life to bending that arc—his legacy shows us that we, too, can act to shape the world we want to see.

Justice is not an abstract concept—it is the lived reality we create when we choose to act with purpose together. Dr. King believed deeply in the power of community to transform lives—he called it The Beloved Community—and his vision challenges us to ask ourselves: What more can we do? How can we, in our daily actions and in our institutions, contribute to bending the arc toward justice?

In his early years, Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement with brilliance and courage, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the March on Washington. His “I Have a Dream” speech is an immortal declaration of equality—a challenge to a nation to fulfill its founding promises. Monumental victories—like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965—were born from his leadership and courage, along with the efforts of countless people who worked on a cause that often demanded personal sacrifice in life and safety.

But, as we know, his vision didn’t stop there. Dr. King’s leadership evolved in ways that many did not expect. In his later years, he confronted deeper and more pervasive issues—poverty, systemic injustice, and the moral folly of the Vietnam War. His “Beyond Vietnam” speech was a turning point—a powerful call to examine the moral contradictions of American foreign policy. It was here that Dr. King expanded his fight for equality to include economic justice. His focus on the Poor People’s Campaign reflected his belief that true equality could not be achieved without addressing the widening wealth gap and the systemic oppression that fueled it.

These questions compel us to move forward together, not as individuals striving in isolation, but as a movement united by shared values and an unwavering commitment to fairness.

In recent years, our community has shown an unwavering commitment to social justice during critical moments. Through peaceful protests advocating for racial equity and community-driven initiatives addressing homelessness, housing, and healthcare, our neighbors have demonstrated a remarkable ability to come together in times of challenge. These actions highlight the resilience and strength of a community determined not to ignore injustice but to confront it with courage and purpose.

At Lane Community College, we are working to create pathways to opportunity. Education and training beyond high school have the power to transform lives, as we’ve seen in the stories of our students and alumni—former single mothers earning degrees and certificates, first-generation college students finding their passion, future business owners and leaders emerging from every background. Lane is committed to breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of success, providing the tools necessary to create a more equitable society. From adult basic education to the arts, healthcare, science, technology, trades, artificial intelligence, engineering, and business, Lane equips individuals to be change-makers who will impact today’s world.

But none of us can do this work alone.

Dr. King believed in the collective power of people united in purpose. Now, unity doesn’t mean uniformity—it means drawing strength from our differences and working together for a common goal. Today, I challenge each of us to take three steps:

1. Learn and engage. Delve into the history of inequity in our nation—books like Caste by Isabel Wilkerson or The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward Baptist provide essential insights. Dr. King’s speeches are unparalleled for wisdom.
2. Build partnerships. Collaboration is key. Educators, businesses, government leaders, and community organizations can increase their impact by coming together to align priorities and address systemic inequities through sustained effort.
3. Act with purpose. Every choice we make—whether in our personal lives or professional roles—has the potential to bend the arc of justice just a little further. 

Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that achieving justice is not inevitable unless there is intentional effort on our part. As we move forward, let us remember that we are the stewards of Dr. King’s dream.

Together, we are bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice. Together, we are building a future that reflects the values of equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. And together, we are proving that many voices, united in one movement, have the power to create lasting change.

Thank you for your partnership, your courage, and your commitment. Let us move forward with unity, purpose, and hope.