University President Jack DeGioia went two for two on Martin Luther King Day when he presented this year’s John Thompson, Jr. “Legacy of a Dream” award.
Not only did he avoid the controversy that marred last year’s presentation, but he also honored Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), whose work to secure full voting rights in Congress for the District embodies King’s message of justice and equality.
Now, the D.C. Voting Rights Act of 2007 is on the verge of becoming law. Even though the legislation fell three votes short of ending Senate debate in September, Washington has never been closer to getting voting rights. Still, a final push is needed to finally bring congressional representation to our nation’s capital.
Norton said receiving the award was like getting “marching orders” to further Martin Luther King’s ideas. She added that the best way for her to do that is by working for D.C. voting rights.
“[D.C. is] the last of these struggles to get equal voting rights,” Norton said.
King’s message that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere” takes on special relevance in light of D.C.’s lack of Congressional voting rights.
D.C.’s disenfranchisement denies District residents a significant role in national politics and is an embarrassment to the country.
“We cannot be the world’s greatest democracy while denying democracy to people living in the nation’s capital,” Ilir Zherka, the executive director of D.C. Vote, said.
D.C. Vote’s website, www.dcvote.org, offers Georgetown students a number of ways get involved with the movement: by becoming a member of the organization, attending its events or writing to their representatives and senators.
By lobbying our representatives to use those votes and give Norton power in the House, students can help bring equality to the District.
