Campus Conversations

Take Action! (nonviolent action)

January 19, 2012

MLK Week Poster This year, Oxy is getting back to its old ways with a full week of programming celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Things are a little unusual since MLK Day actually took place before the first day of spring classes, and the celebration doesn't run Sunday to Saturday.  This year's programming will begin on Wednesday, January 25 and run through Wednesday, February 1 and will feature something for everyone.   For the service minded folks, the day of service is still the anchor, and will take place on Saturday.  With hundreds of people already registered, make sure you get your name on the list to be a part of this growing tradition at Oxy.  This year will even feature some alumni from the Board of Governors participating beside current Oxy students.
Interested in hearing from someone who actively participated in the Civil Rights Movement?  Then come hear Reverend James Lawson speak on Wednesday to kick off the week.  He'll be talking about his experiences and how they relate to life in the U.S. today.  This dynamic individual will also be conducting an intimate workshop for up to 30 Oxy students on Thursday of the week as well.  RSVPs are required for the workshop, so if you're interested, make sure you register in advance. Want to hear what Dr. King himself said to Oxy when he visited campus on April 12, 1967?  With the help of the folks in Special Collections in the Academic Commons, this year there will be a chance to listen to a recording of that speech.  In the Green Bean at different times the entire speech will be played for folks to hear.  There will also be a chance to listen to excerpts at the Civic Reflection on Social Action taking place the on the Monday of MLK Week. For those who are interested in personalities, the week will end with a staged reading of the play The Meeting by Jeff Stetson.  This play depicts the playwright's view of what a conversation would have looked like between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.  This reading will be done by members of the Oxy community, so come out, appreciate the show, and support your fellow Tigers.