Novi Celebrates 'Unity in the Community' on MLK Day

students came together Monday night to encourage the community to take action and celebrate diversity in everyday life. As a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the students put on the sixth “Unity in the Community” event, which took place in the high school auditorium.

The event was organized by the Students Promoting Unity and Diversity (SPUD) Club. Callie Wright, who is in her third year in the group, said its members work hard to promote acceptance in school.

"Through SPUD, I've learned that it's OK to be different. It's OK to be different on the inside and outside. People will accept you, and if they don't, then there's a serious problem,” she said. “But what our club tries to do is to unite those that feel that they are different. We embrace our differences."

This year’s theme was “Stop Talking, Start Doing,” which was the focus of many of the event’s speakers.

"Today we came to celebrate an idea that all of us are brothers and sisters, that all of us have a contribution to make to the world, that all of us should be and can be concerned about those who need a hand,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews.

“We come to celebrate an idea that all of us should be treated as equals and valued as individuals. More importantly, we came to pledge ourselves to act, not just to talk. We pledge ourselves to start doing, so that the world in which we live will be changed."

Matthews said students could make a difference every day by stopping bullying, including others and helping those who are hurt.

Novi Mayor Bob Gatt said he is proud of the students for speaking out and organizing the event.

"Novi is known for and well-respected as a city that welcomes and encourages diversity,” he said.

Gatt pointed out that when Novi was named by Family Circle magazine last year, the magazine cited the city’s cultural diversity as one of its highlights.

In addition to several other speeches, the night also featured a video of Novi elementary school students discussing what it means to be tolerant, as well as live musical and dance performances. Jordan Blanchard opened the event with “Times They Are A-Changin’,” and Narsh Ragunathan sang “What a Wonderful World.” Rubini Naidu and Rachna Chhaya performed an Indian fusion dance.

While the students and other community members gave due praise to King, the take-home message was clear: It’s time for everyone to start taking action in their own lives.

"People are treated more equally today because of what Martin Luther King believed,” said Novi student Katera Price. “It takes one person to make a difference in the world. At the end of the day, we're all the same. We have to stop talking and start doing. Let's rise up and do what we want to see done."