Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke highly of Brandeis University and its "allegiance to justice" in 1957, said Assistant Dean of Student Life in Support of Diversity Jamele Adams. King's ideals were remembered and celebrated by members of the Brandeis community in a ceremony Monday night in Shapiro Campus Center.Adams, who served as host for the evening, inspired enthusiasm and tied every part of the evening together with the common theme of King's values. He explained the use of a large coffin with a cross on it at the foot of a stage. He opened the simple coffin while explaining that everyone had a pencil and paper and should write byproducts of racism or something negative they wanted to eliminate, and throw the ideas in the coffin. After the program the coffin and all the negative thoughts would be disposed of.

A highlight of the presentation was the rebirth of King through Jonathan D'Oleo '08. For the second year in a row, he made an effort to embody King's spirit, memorizating a 23-minute speech and growing a mustache specifically for the event. D'Oleo made it seem as if King was actually in the room, motivating those watching to make a difference and to believe they were a part of all the changes he was discussing.

King's idea of bringing people together was symbolized by performances of inspirational songs by the Lincoln-Sudbury High School's Gospel Choir sprinkled throughout the evening. The combination of people of different backgrounds in the choir, as well as the combination of high-school students performing mixed in with those from the Brandeis community promoted a sense of unity. Other acts included Brandeis students and visitors from Brooklyn performing songs and slam poetry.

The moment Louise Grasmere, of the staff of the Office of Students & Enrollment, opened her mouth to sing, the sheer power of her vocal chords was shocking to the ear. She enveloped the meaning and message of the music she presented and inspired all those around her to clap and sing a resounding chorus in the song, "I Believe," one of the three pieces she performed.

Many portions of the program elicited enthusiastic audience response, with plenty of applause interrupting acts, and a standing ovation after most portions of the memorial celebration.

The event was sponsored by MLK Scholars, the Office of the Dean of Student Life and the Department of Orientation and First Year Programs.

The celebration will continue throughout the week and the coffin used in the memorial will be left in Shapiro Atrium for all students to contribute their own thoughts on effects of racism they would like to bury.

A hit near the end of the evening was Adams' slam poetry. He said that he writes a poem in honor of King every year and this year's poem was titled "Let Go," and emphasized such thoughts as "[spending] holidays learning more ways to keep love from decay." That sentence summed up what the celebration of the evening was: King's vision of elevating love from the eroding affects of racism.