Entrants should address the following quote in their video:  Why is now “the time is always right to do right?”

Entrants should include the following in their video:

1. The quote;
2. Their personal connection to the quote; and
3. Their interpretation of the quote.

Below is an excerpt of the quote and speech for reference:

“Now if we are to solve the problem it is necessary to develop a massive action program to get at it on a continuing basis North and South. Not only to develop the kind of action program that will really solve the problem. We must get rid of one or two myths that are constantly disseminated.

One is what I refer to as the myth of time. I’m sure you have heard this. It is a strange notion there is some miraculous quality in the very flow of time that tends to heal all ills. You’ve heard it from those who said to the Negro and his allies in the white community just be nice and patient and in 100 or 200 years the problem will work itself out. They contend that only time can solve the problem. It is my contention that there is an answer to that myth and that is that time is neutral. It can be used either constructively or destructively. And I am absolutely convinced that the forces of ill will in our nation, the extreme right in our nation have often used time much more effectively than the forces of goodwill. We may have to repent in this generation not merely for vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people who will bombed a church in Birmingham, Alabama, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say wait on time.

Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the time and persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God. Without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation and irrational emotionalism. We must help time and we must realize the time is always right to do right.

Now there is another myth that is constantly disseminated. It is the notion that legislation cannot solve the problems of racial injustice. Those who argue on the basis of this myth contend that you’ve got to change the heart. Well, as I said earlier this afternoon to many of my fellow clergymen here in Dallas, I’m with anybody who believes in changing the heart. I have nothing against changing the heart. I happen to be a preacher and I am in the heart-changing business. And I preach Sunday after Sunday, week after week, about regeneration, conversion and the new birth. I believe in getting hearts changed.

And I believe also that it is true that if we are to solve the problem ultimately, the white person must see the Negro as his brother. And he must treat him right because it is natural and because the Negro is his brother and not merely because the law says it.  If we are to solve the problem ultimately, every person must rise to the majestic heights of being obedient to the unenforceable. I recognize this.”

Southern Methodist University. (2014). Transcript of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech at SMU on March 17, 1966. 2014 Archives. https://www.smu.edu/News/2014/mlk-at-smu-transcript-17march1966

By submitting the entry form, the entrant warrants that they own all rights to the video they are submitting. The entrant releases all rights in perpetuity to WOU for the use of the video in its complete or partial form, and to the information the entrant provided to WOU throughout involvement in the contest.

The entrant confirms they are at least 18 years of age and have the right and ability to consent to this agreement. The entrant agrees to release WOU, its agents and assigns, from any and all liability and from any and all personal property rights from which the entrant might have in relation to WOU, its agents or assigns for the use of the entrant’s voice, image, likeness, and any additional information provided to WOU throughout involvement of the contest.

By submitting the entry form and a video, the entrant grants the university a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free license for the use of the video in its complete or partial form, and to the information the entrant provided to WOU throughout involvement in the contest.

All entrants must complete and upload a signed model release form by 11:59pm PST on Thursday, January 14, 2021. No video will be judged without a completed model release form received by the MLK Committee by that deadline. 

Any student who is enrolled at Western Oregon University during the 2020-21 academic year.

Entrants must be at least 18 years of age.

Only one entry per student.

The video must be between :30 and :60 seconds long. Videos less than :30 seconds or longer than :60 seconds will be disqualified.

Video must be in .mov or .mp4 file format.

Video may not exceed 1GB file size.

Video must meet the model release guidelines. 

Images, graphics, and music used should be approved creative commons license and/or royalty-free license content. Additional information:

• Check out millions of creative commons images and music you can use.
• You can also find creative commons images via Google Image search by selecting the tools box > usage rights. More information available on the find images you can use & share website.
• Learn more about legal creative commons and royalty free music to use in videos. 

Video may not be created on social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc.) and then submitted as an entry per creative commons license and royalty-free regulations.

All eligible videos will be reviewed and scored by a 1st round reviewing body of faculty and staff. The top finalist will be reviewed by a 2nd committee, who will select the top three winners. Videos will be scored based on the quality of:

1. Content (e.g., entrant included the quote and address their interpretation of the quote) 
2. Innovation (e.g., creativity, originality)
3. Aesthetics (e.g., visuals, sound elements, graphics,)
4. Personal Connection (e.g., entrant self reflected, shared how the quote resonate with them)
5. Overall video quality

Gift certificates to the Western Oregon University Wolf Store.

1st Place – $200.00

2nd Place – $125.00

3rd Place – $75.00