Happy 설날 ("Solnal" Korean Lunar New Year) and Happy Chinese New Year! As many of you know, I just returned from studying in Korea for 16 months. Solnal is now a holiday I celebrate and appreciate for its significance to over a third of the world's population. Almost every country in East Asia celebrates a Lunar holiday, whether it is called Lunar or Chinese New Year. This year marks the Year of the Dragon, which is a significant year in the calendar. We will see if it lives up to the expectations!
This past week was my first week back at school here at SEMO. My classes consisted of reading syllabi, the necessary monotonous week of the semester. I am excited about my classes, from the descriptions they look like they will be interesting and some will prove to be a challenge.
I am taking my Senior Seminar for my Communications degree this semester (I will need to take another seminar for my other major as well next semester), it looks like it will push me to get back into this American university groove. It is a joint upper level undergraduate as well as graduate level course, so there will be a diverse group of individuals discussing the subject matter in this class.
On Wednesday, I celebrated Martin Luther King Jr Day by attending the Civil Rights Celebration Dinner, which is held yearly at my school. I was fortunate to attend by invitation as an Honors student by the Honors school, so I was very excited to be a part of the celebration.
The keynote speaker was Former Governor L Douglas Wilder, the first African American Governor in American History. I was so honored to hear this man, who has lived through so much history, share his life story and words of wisdom to us students. He fought in the Korean War, which was moving for me since Korea remains dear to my heart. He also served in the State Senate as one of the first African Americans in US History to do so. He became Governor of Virginia in 1990 and remains one of the most popular Governors in Virginia's history. He focused on the importance of pursuing your ambitions and never allowing others to degrade your potential. He reflected that this ideal applies to all American young people and urged every individual to fulfill their hopes regardless of what society may say. I found this very inspiring, here is a man who has lived this philosophy that I hope to continue to strive for. His message is universal and I hope to be able to instill that message in every person I impact in my life.
Reflecting on the Civil Rights Movement in America made me realize how far we have come. I believe there is still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to press towards that goal of judging others by the content of their character. It is my prayer that King's message will break the chains of prejudice around the world, that every persecuted people group will find acceptance from those that persecute them. King's message applies to all people, not just here in America, it is a universal message.
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