Final: Elizabeth Alexander Speaks at Wittenberg University.

Poet Elizabeth Alexander preached for worldwide love at the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative convocation held in Springfield, Ohio, on Monday.

Alexander, a professor at Yale University, was selected to read her poem “Praise Song for the Day”, at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in January of 2009. Little did she know, she would be reading it, along with giving a speech, almost a year later on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Weaver Chapel at Wittenberg University.

While speaking about being at the March on Washington as a newborn child with her parents –when Martin Luther King gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech she said, “Neither of them would know how that day will live in history” and it is now one of the most famous speeches, today.

Unlike most families who have candy in their candy dishes, Alexander spoke of having political buttons filling theirs when she was a little girl. She spoke of distinctly remembering just one, “It was a black hand shaking a white hand,” she went on explaining how after many years, her father wore it at the Obama Inauguration just last year.

She seemed to follow Dr. King’s words of wisdom throughout her speech, and also used June Jordan’s, who was a poet born in Harlem, a teacher, and activist, like Alexander, as well. One of the many meaningful things Alexander said was, “Do you know what you are fighting for, as well as what you are fighting against?”

Her main point throughout her speech at Wittenberg was expressing the importance of the need of love in the world today. “Dr. King asked everyone to commit to their country and to their communities.” Alexander followed this statement by bringing up the Haiti disaster and the way the world is graciously helping the people who are in need.

“It is love that makes us say we can do better.” Alexander then stressed, “Where is the Love?” She explained how love isn’t just an emotion throughout the world, but how it should be sought for through actions as well. She continued with conveying Dr. King’s legacy with warmth of belief that one day his actions will prevail through all.

Alexander expressed how she didn’t think she was going to read the poem again after the Inauguration a year ago, but thought it was perfect for the situation. So she completed her speech with reading “Praise Song for the Day” with a standing ovation following quickly after.