MidAmerica Nazarene University honored Senior U.S. District Judge for Kansas Julie A. Robinson with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Legacy Award at its 19th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, January 21. Judge Robinson is the first African American appointed U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas.
The event’s theme “United By Hope,” was punctuated by music from MNU’s Heritage Choir, scripture reading, prayer, and a compelling presentation from Judge Robinson. Robinson explained the history of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956 which after great sacrifice by African Americans, led to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.
Robinson said our collective history’s evil and uncomfortable aspects are worth studying.
“If you don’t study this history then you miss the powerful story of the people that for 382 days showed how you can be unified and resilient and exercise fortitude in resisting injustice in a nonviolent, loving way,” she said. “That’s the importance of studying all history, American history, African American history, which is no different than American history, because American history is all of our history.”
She further articulated this importance by saying, “We cannot stand up for righteousness, justice or truth if we confine our minds to a sanitized version of history. Seeing and hearing and accepting and believing the experience of others without guilt or defensiveness, without anger or shame, is a healing experience. We cannot heal as a nation, we will not heal as a nation until we embrace truth with open eyes, open minds, and open hearts.”
Judge Robinson called the Living Legacy Award a “reminder of our shared responsibility to stand up for righteousness, justice and truth.” She thanked MNU for its stance on these values.
Judge Robinson was joined at the event by family, friends and colleagues, City of Olathe dignitaries and business leaders, and police and fire department representatives. The audience learned of her impressive career and numerous awards and honors. Robinson was an assistant U.S. attorney and a U.S. bankruptcy judge for the District of Kansas before becoming a U.S. District Judge. She was chief judge of the U.S. District Court from 2017 to 2021. She currently serves on the Committee on Science, Technology and Law of the National Academies of Science. Locally, she has served on the board of Saint Paul School of Theology and chaired the board of Healing House KC. She is a fourth-generation Kansan, a descendant of Isaac Baker who was among the throng of former slaves fleeing from the South to Kansas circa 1878. The mass migration to the free state of Kansas is known as the Exoduster Movement.
The annual MLK event celebrates and promotes the legacy of Dr. King, a pivotal leader in the fight for Civil Rights and the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Each year, it is held on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day so MNU students can attend.
Readers can view a video recording of the event on MNU’s Vimeo account and view photos on Flickr.
