Joe Rogers Keeps the Dream Alive

by Sheila Vargas
edited by Abbie Tumbleson

On Thursday April 1, three days before the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Joe Rogers spoke to a crowd of over 30 students in a presentation, Dream Alive, sponsored by the Black Student Alliance (B.S.A.) and Brothers Reaching Out (B.R.O.).

Rogers, an attorney and the former Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, spoke of America’s human rights history, including the mistreatment of minorities and women.

Joe Rogers spoke to the campus community on Thursday, April 1. (photo: Sheila Vargas)

The presentation was about King’s life, while discussing the racial issues that face not only Americans, but all global citizens in both past and present times. Rogers considers his speech a journey across time, hoping to talk about the huge impact one person had on millions of people.

Rogers imitated King’s famous I Have a Dream speech in its entirety. He changed his voice and used the very gestures King used while standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

“This is the second time I’ve seen him. It’s just so powerful because it holds you and holds you imagination. What I mean by that is he gives you almost a living experience of Reverend King,” said Bill Beardslee, Associate Director of Student Involvement and Interfaith Campus Ministries.

Rogers not only spoke of King’s life and contribution to American history, but also of John F. Kennedy, Rose Parks and others who had major impacts on society. He spoke of how The United States constantly strives to be politically correct, and said if the people in attendance of his program lived only years earlier, they would not have been allowed to step foot together in the same room.

Rogers asked the audience if the dream that King spoke of long ago still stuck with them.

“It occurs to me that there is something every one of us has in common,” said Rogers.  “At some point tonight you will all lay down in a bed and hope to dream.”

Jonathon Gordon, senior and Vice President of Brothers Reaching Out (B.RO.) said, “The message Joe Rogers gave to us was important. When he was talking about how we have a lot of work to do still, that really resonated with me, to fulfill the dream of Martin Luther King Jr.”

After the presentation members of BS..A, B.R.O and ALANA were asked to stay for refreshments and a chance to speak to and get to know Rogers.  Members of these groups were specifically asked to go by the leaders of their organizations.

“Franklin Pierce is a special place to honored,” said Rogers. “I just find the students here to be engaging, talented and really open to having an impact on their future.”

The presentation was made possible by Bill Beardslee and the president of BSA, Sherese Ponder president.