The frigid weather didn’t stop community members from celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Fort Collins.
Despite the cancellation of the annual march portion of the event due to sub-zero temperatures, several hundred community members gathered in the warm confines of the Lincoln Center to experience “From Myth to Man: Martin Luther King.” The community event was organized by Colorado State University, the City of Fort Collins, Front Range Community College, Poudre Libraries, Poudre School District and the BIPOC Alliance.
The one-man performance by Ira Knight — a playwright, producer, director and author — gave attendees an intimate glimpse of the late Civil Rights Movement icon. Set in King’s Lorraine Motel room in Memphis on the day he was assassinated, Knight gave a Shakespearean soliloquy that portrayed the emotions King might have experienced in his final hours.
“I’m just working through some things,” Knight said during his performance as King. “I miss my family. I really, really miss my family. I miss my children. I really miss my children because I know that I will never get to see them grow up.”
Following the hourlong show, Knight explained during a question-and-answer session that his inspiration for the play came from King’s final public speech — “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” — in which he discusses his mortality.
During the performance, Knight spoke in a stream of consciousness to the audience, sharing King’s emotions: “In case you’re not aware, I am human. I get tired. I get worn down. I get discouraged. I get depressed.”
The performance ended with King contemplating whether to call his children before taking a meeting on the balcony outside of his motel room. He ultimately decided against it to not disturb them during dinner. He exited the stage, and two shots rang out.
“The purpose and intent of this piece was to connect Dr. King to this and all generations as a human being,” Knight said following the performance. Knight also touched on the theme of this year’s celebration — “It Starts with Us” — noting everyone has unique talents and gifts like Martin Luther King Jr.
In the spirit of King, CSU and Fort Collins community members gathered at the Lincoln Center prior to the performance to assist in a clothing drive benefiting Northern Colorado’s Homeward Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to providing basic needs to families, adults and seniors.
The event also included musical performances from community members as well as remarks from community leaders such as Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt and Bridgette Johnson, assistant vice president for inclusive excellence at CSU.
“In 2024, nearly 56 years after his death, when we witness injustices across our communities, our country, our world, we continue to draw from Dr. King’s wisdom,” Johnson said. “‘It Starts with Us’ is a recognition that equity is not automatic but requires our personal and intentional efforts.”
