Economic justice was at the forefront of the Black Student Union’s 17th Annual Soul Food Celebration. Held on March 6, the celebration included a roundtable discussion with keynote speaker Roland Martin and a soul food buffet at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

BSU sponsors the Soul Food Banquet along with the Office of Student Life every year in celebration of Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The theme for this year’s event was Power Play: Economic Justice in America.

Speaking to an audience of over 150 attendees, in his keynote address, Martin reminded everyone that the majority of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech is about economic equality, and not racial justice.

“The one place where America truly defines equality (is) money,” stated Martin.

Martin discussed the importance of people not just resting on their laurels, but taking control of their own economic destinies. “We can’t just think that because we now have a black president, everything is suddenly okay,” said Martin.

He stressed that African Americans particularly have a responsibility to advocate for themselves. He added it was unnecessary for people to ask for permission to advance their own lives.

Martin touched on a variety of other issues, including the current state of the media industry, the education system’s tendency to track students into four-year colleges and the importance of giving back to your community.

Martin closed by challenging each member of the audience to commit to doing one thing to better themselves in the next year.

Martin, a journalist and political analyst, is featured regularly on CNN, the TV One Network, The Tom Joyner Morning Show and in Essence magazine.