Annual MLK Study Day at Goshen College will examine diversity, then and now
Goshen College students, faculty and community members will focus on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and explore diversity issues of the past and present during the MLK Day celebration events on Jan. 19-20.
The community is welcomed to campus for a community breakfast on Monday, Jan. 20, which will feature a gospel choir, table discussions and guest speaker Rebecca Kubacki, Indiana state representative, who will speak on her life and how her education has made a difference in her career. Tickets are required for the community breakfast, and can be purchased online at goshen.edu/tickets or by contacting the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or at welcomecenter@goshen.edu. Tickets are available at a reduced rate of $18 for adults and $15 for students before Jan. 7. Tickets are $22 after Jan. 7.
This year’s events will also feature Anthony Brown, a musician, peace activist, counselor, professor and 1971 Goshen College graduate. In 2007, Brown founded the Peacing It Together Foundation to stage musical events worldwide that foster peace and social justice. He has spoken and performed in Bosnia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ireland, Japan, Moldova, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Uganda, Vietnam and many other countries, particularly countries in conflict. Brown’s goal in all of his endeavors is to “be a part of creating a better day for all of humanity.”
Goshen College’s 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Study Day events:
Sunday, Jan. 19
7-8:30 p.m. – “I Go on Singing, Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs,” performed by Anthony Brown, Umble Center
An all-American athlete, recording artist and star of the stage and screen, by the 1930s Paul Robeson was the best-known African-American entertainer in the world. But as an early champion of civil rights and peace, he ultimately sacrificed his career and everything he’d accomplished by challenging the dominant culture’s status quo.
The story of this American hero comes alive in a rousing 90-minute musical presentation, “I Go on Singing, Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs” performed by Anthony Brown. Folk legend Pete Seeger makes three video guest appearances discussing his friendship with Robeson and the music they shared.
Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for students. For tickets, visit www.goshen.edu/tickets, or contact the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or at welcomecenter@goshen.edu.
Monday, Jan. 20
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Community breakfast (advance tickets required), Church-Chapel Fellowship Room
With guest speaker Rebecca Kubacki, Indiana state representative. Breakfast and discussions are open by reservation to the campus and wider community.
Before Jan. 7: $18 per ticket/$144 per eight-person table. $15 for students.
After Jan. 7: $22 per ticket /$176 per eight-person table. $15 for students.
To make reservations, go to www.goshen.edu/tickets, or contact the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or at welcomecenter@goshen.edu.
9-10 a.m. – Spoken-word coffeehouse and talkback session, Church-Chapel, Fellowship Room
Students and faculty will read original poetry, fiction and nonfiction, as well as works by others.
10-11:20 a.m. – Convocation, Church-Chapel
This all-campus gathering will include music and a speech by Anthony Brown.
Faculty lectures on racism and civil rights:
2:15-3:30 p.m. – Women in Civil Rights Movement, with Steve Nolt, professor of history, Church-Chapel, Room 110
2:15-3:30 p.m. – Institutional racism, with Rebecca Hernandez, associate dean for intercultural development and educational partnerships, Church-Chapel, Room 111
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Institutional racism: neighborhood dumps, with students in the environmental education graduate program, Newcomer Center, Room 19