Isaiah Jones, the new Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Utah State University, made opening remarks at the meeting of the Logan City Council on Jan. 17 (Photo courtesy of USU).
LOGAN – In his first public appearance since being named Senior Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Utah State University, Isaiah Jones delivered opening remarks at the meeting of the Logan City Council on Jan. 17.
His topic was the recent Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, which was officially observed by Utahns on Jan. 16.
Jones first touched on what he called the “interesting history” of the holiday in honor of the late Dr. King.
The holiday was first proposed by civil rights leaders in the late 1960s immediately after King’s assassination, according to Jones. In 1983, former President Ronald Reagan signed legislation officially proclaiming the event and the MLK holiday was finally recognized in Utah in the year 2000.
Jones’ remarks focused on King’s thoughts expressed in Strength to Love, a book of his sermons from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
In his homilies to Black congregations, Jones recalled, King urged them to “ … be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Jones explained that King’s advice was his best suggestion to remedy the growing tension in the American South in the Civil Rights era.
Because that community hadn’t learned to live with those tensions, Jones added, they often manifested themselves as violence and upheaval.
“There’s little hope for us until we become tough-minded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truths and downright ignorance,” Jones said, quoting from King’s sermon.
“The shape of the world today does not permit us the luxury of soft-mindedness … A nation or civilization that continue to produce soft-minded folks purchases its own spiritual death on an installment plan.”
In his new role at USU, Jones said he is excited to work with campus partners and the community to achieve inclusive excellence in today’s more enlightened environment.
Jones is a USU alumnus, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human physiology in 2012 and a master’s degree in history. He was also an Aggie student athlete.
Jones also holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and is currently working on his doctorate degree in applied sciences, technology and education from USU.
He is a legacy Aggie as well, since both of his parents hold USU degrees.
“This opportunity means everything to me,” Jones said after his appointment on Jan. 3 by Dr. Jane Irungu, the vice president for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at USU.
“I get to help collaborate with campus partners and the community to assist in creating the type of environment where people like my Mom and Dad thrive at USU and beyond it.”
Jones closed his remarks on Jan. 17 by leading the members of the city council in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.