By: Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor
Martin Luther King Day is celebrated by students everywhere as a three day weekend, rather than a day to remember and appreciate all Martin Luther King Jr. did in his lifetime. Western, however, is making a one day holiday into a week long celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. To honor the Civil Rights leader, Western is putting on several different events intended for any who are interested: the community, students, staff and faculty are all welcome.
Although there were no classes on Jan. 16, the University Diversity Committee didn’t waste any time. On Jan. 16 the University Diversity Committee made the holiday a “day on versus a day off” for the Marion-Polk Food Share Service Project. On Jan. 17, the committee held a Community-Police Dialogue to “engage in a dialogue about race, class and justice with local law enforcement officers,” held in the Werner University Center in the Willamette Room.
On Jan. 18, the committee is holding the MLK Jr. Celebration Annual Dinner in the Pacific Room of Werner University Center. Along with a dinner, guest keynote speaker Lasana Omar Hotep, will be presenting.
“Lasana Omar Hotep is an entrepreneur, essayist and educator committed to providing insight and practical strategies in the areas of student development, cultural fluency and institutional equity. His fact-based, witty, multimedia presentations inform and inspire individuals to think critically about themselves and society. He has delivered talks and engaged audiences around issues of cultural identity and educational equity at over 100 institutions throughout the country,” stated the University Diversity Committee MLK event page.
Tickets for this event are $3.00 for students and $5.00 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased, cash only, at the Werner University Center front desk or in the Office of Disability Services, APSC 405. Students who have a meal plan can use their ID/Meal cards to purchase tickets for $3 at Wolf express in the Werner University Center. Doors open at 5:45 pm and the program begins at 6:00pm.
On Jan. 19 the University Diversity Committee, co-sponsored by the Black Student Union, are putting on a poetry slam. “Join your peers and Western faculty along with BSU as they recite poetry and even read their original works. Grab a drink and listen, or even recite something yourself!”
Make sure you take part in Western’s 2017 MLK Celebration Week so you can learn and appreciate all Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did to start the conversation on equality in America and how he’s impacted those today.
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu
