On Tuesday, Jan. 17, students from Marshall High School and SMSU performed written work from leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. This included work from leaders such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou and James Baldwin.

SMSU student Antonio Ledbetter read a poem written by Amiri Baraka titled “A Short Speech to My Friends.”

“I chose that poem because it stood out to me,” Ledbetter said. “You had to really listen to understand it.”

Ledbetter says that these events are meant to keep Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and the Civil Rights Movement alive.

Aside from Baraka’s work, Ledbetter also performed one of his original works titled “The End of Time.”

Ledbetter describes himself as a natural poet,

“I’ve been through a lot of trials and tribulations,” Ledbetter said, “so my work just comes to me.”

He has written numerous poems but he admits that this is one of his favorites which is why he shared it.

Ledbetter was involved in last years’ event as well where he read a work by Martin Luther King Jr.

“Last year we actually dressed up,” Ledbetter said. “We had on suits, so last year I was Martin Luther King Jr.”

Ledbetter said that they chose not to dress up this year.

“People were viewing the costume more versus listening to the words,” Ledbetter said.

This year, the audience was able to focus on the message rather than critique the costumes.

“He had a dream and I’m trying to fulfill it too,” Ledbetter said.