Celebrate King's legacy


Martin Luther King Day is not just another day off from work. Its a time to serve your community and your fellow Americans.

The University of Pennsylvania is making it easy to serve by sponsoring a variety of service projects on the holiday, observed this year on Jan. 20. Projects include sprucing up buildings and grounds at two West Philadelphia public schools, sorting donated books for a literacy education program, making gifts for people in shelters and nursing homes and collecting food from local restaurants in Kensington to distribute to neighbors in need.

The holiday begins with the traditional community breakfast and end with the annual candlelight march and vigil for peace. Details on the projects are available at www.upenn.edu/aarc/mlk on the Web.

The events of Jan. 20 begin the most intense portion of Penns 17-day symposium dedicated to Kings life and legacy. The annual interfaith program, discussions, lectures, films, music and entertainment round out the celebration. Selected events open to the public or the campus community appear below. Visit the Web site for a complete schedule and more information.

Thursday, Jan. 16

square.gifWE ARE FAMILY: Join Spruce College House Dean Marilynne Diggs-Thompson for a discussion of Scholars, Activists and Images of The Black FamilyA Retrospective. Noon to 2 p.m. at the Penn Womens Center, 3643 Locust Walk.

square.gifKING THE RADICAL I: An informal discussion explores the other side of Martin Luther Kingthe radical advocate for economic justice and peace. 5:30 p.m. at the Christian Association, 37th and Sansom streets. See also Friday, Jan. 24 and Monday, Jan. 27.

Friday, Jan. 17

square.gifRACE AND SERVICE: A panel discussion looks at some of the unexplored questions surrounding community work, including whether it can be used to overcome racial and economic barriers. 5 p.m. at The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk.

Saturday, Jan. 18

square.gifGET ON THE BUS: A contingent of Penn faculty, staff and students will travel to Washington to participate in the Peace March against war in Iraq. Buses depart at 7 a.m. from 34th and Walnut streets and return at 8 p.m. Tickets $20; some student subsidies available.

Sunday, Jan. 19

square.gifGANDHI: Richard Attenboroughs Oscar-winning 1982 film portrays the life of the man whose non-violent struggle for Indian independence served as the model for Kings own crusade. 7 p.m. at the Graduate Student Center, 3615 Locust Walk.

Monday, Jan. 20

square.gifCOMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Minister Lorina Marshall-Blake of Vine Memorial Baptist Church will address Kings ideals of Justice, Peace and Service as the keynote speaker of this annual event hosted by President Judith Rodin. 9 a.m. in the Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

square.gifMLK TEACH-IN: Speakers address issues of economic human rights in a School of Social Work event. 12:30 to 5 p.m. in the Hall of Flags, Houston Hall; reception follows.

square.gifCANDLELIGHT VIGIL: The annual march from DuBois College House to Houston Hall bears witness to Kings vision for peace. 7 to 10 p.m.; march departs from DuBois College House, 3900 Walnut St.

square.gifTHE DEMONS WE MAKE: Filmmaker Tania Cuevas-Martinez will be on hand to lead a discussion following the premiere of her documentary Haters, an exploration of ethnic demonization in America. 7 p.m. in the Ben Franklin Room, Houston Hall.

square.gifCAST OUT FOR LOVE: Sister Jeannine Gramick (Gr75) speaks on her ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and the Vatican ban on her ministry issued in 1999. 7 p.m. at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center, 3907 Spruce St.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

square.gifSTEP OUT OF LINE: Executive Vice President Clifford Stanley speaks on When Leaders Need to Break Rank. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Graduate Student Center. Reservations required: www.upenn.edu/gsc.

Thursday, Jan. 23

square.gifINTERFAITH PROGRAM: Keynote speaker: Dorothy Cotton, the first female member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Featuring musical performances and remarks from President Rodin. 7 p.m. in Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall.

Friday, Jan. 24

square.gifKING THE RADICAL II: A conversation explores the radical nature of Kings vision of racial justice. Noon at the Christian Association.

Saturday, Jan. 25

square.gifA SOUTH ASIAN DREAM: The fourth annual South Asian Political Awareness Conference encourages South Asian Americans to follow in the Kings footsteps. 1 to 9 p.m. in Class of 1949 Auditorium, Houston Hall.

Monday, Jan. 27

square.gifKING THE RADICAL III: Bayard Rustin was not alone. This conversation looks at Kings acceptance of his homosexual colleagues in the civil rights movement. Noon at the LGBT Center.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

square.gifJULIAN BOND: The NAACP chairman and co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee delivers the second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture in Social Justice. Noon; location to be announced.

square.gifTHE BLACK SCHOLAR: Research Assistant Professor of Social Work Sean Joe, education doctoral student Patricia Louison and Sean Seymore of Rowan University discuss challenges facing black scholars in academe. 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Graduate Student Center.

square.gifJUST READING: A student reading at Kelly Writers House features works on peace and justice inspired by King. 8 to 10 p.m. at the Writers House.

Last story in sequence
Front page for this issue
Next story in sequence

Originally published on January 16, 2003