05
February
2015
|
14:24 PM
America/Chicago

Students Take Action Against Hunger, Honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the words of Cornel West, "Empathy is not simply a matter of trying to imagine what others are going through, but having the will to muster enough courage to do something about it." On Saturday, members of UHD NAACP chapter and the Black Male Initiative attempted to do something about poverty and hunger in Houston.

The organizations joined forces to engage in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. For several hours, participants distributed food to needy families at the Emergency Pantry of the Houston Food Bank. In addition, they restocked shelves and prepared distribution bags to help the pantry efficiently meet the immediate nutritional needs of its patrons. The team was joined by writer, activist and UHD scholar-in-residence, Jimmy Santiago Baca.

In celebration of the humanitarian and philanthropic spirit of Dr. King's work, the members of UHD's NAACP and Black Male Initiative believe it is critical that their pursuit of social justice and community empowerment be driven by a clear recognition of a mutual humanity and an unwavering commitment to improve the material conditions of their communities.