She encouraged the students to think not only of themselves but also of the entire community. Too few people pay attention to their community, she said. Our compassion is based on what we think we will get out of it. In the 1960s, however, her father and other civil rights leaders were concerned with making life better for all people, she said. She believes students today have the same power as those who marched with her father.
Young people are a powerful force for change.
For students to make a change, they first must respect others, reach out to other people, have courage and be willing to learn about different cultures, she said. Unfortunately, people have forgotten the sacrifices the civil rights activists made, she said. Progress still can be made if students strive to be the best they can and do the same for their communities. We need your commitment to try to make a difference. She challenged the students to make something happen rather than stand on the sidelines or wonder what was going on.