University of Chicago Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
Saturday, January 19, 2008 - Friday, January 25, 2008

The University of Chicago celebrates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through our annual MLK Week of Events. We bring together students, faculty, staff, and community members as we honor Dr. King's commitment to social justice through community service, programs and activities on- and off-campus, highlighted by our annual keynote address.

Schedule of Events

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19

UCSC MLK DAY OF SERVICE—ANYONE CAN BE GREAT BECAUSE ANYONE CAN SERVE.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact the University Community Center through their website at http://ucsc.uchicago.edu or call 773-753-GIVE (4483).

MONDAY, JANUARY 21

MEMORIAL SERVICE W/ KEYNOTE ADDRESS: LORETTA J. ROSS
12:00pm- 1:00pm, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 1156 East 59th Street

Loretta J. Ross, founder and the National Coordinator of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, will reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information on Loretta J. Ross, please visit www.speakoutnow.org or click here. This event is free and open to the public. ASL interpreter available. Doors open at 11:00am.

MLK DAY RECEPTION
1:00pm- 3:00pm, Ida Noyes Hall – Cloister Club, 1212 East 59th Street

All Memorial Service attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments and meet the keynote speaker, Loretta J. Ross. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

MLK DOCUMENTARY
5:00pm- 8:00pm, Hyde Park Arts Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue

Join us for an evening of films and documentaries with a special showing of Marlon Riggs’ Black Is, Black Ain’t. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22

Faculty Panel Event
INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE:
Examining & Exposing the Continuing Violence and Discrimination of the 21st Century
5:30pm-7:30pm, Graduate School of Business, C25, 5807 South Woodlawn Avenue

Faculty panelists will discuss how various forms of violence in our society continue to inflict injustices upon us. Expect provocative presentations and lively discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Panelists:
Cathy Cohen, Professor of Political Science, Deputy Provost for Graduate Education, The University of Chicago
Craig Futterman, Clinical Professor of Law, The Law School, Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, The University of Chicago
Susan Gzesh, Senior Lecturer in the College, Director, Human Rights Program, Center for International Studies, The University of Chicago
Richard Hellie, Thomas E. Donnelley Professor of Russian History, Chair, Russian Civilization course and College program, Director Emeritus, East European, Russian, and Eurasian Center, The University of Chicago

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23

"SOMETHING THE LORD MADE"
6:30-9:30pm, Biological Sciences Learning Center – Room 001, 924 East 57th Street

The film, “Something the Lord Made,” is set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south and tells the story of two men who defied the rules of their time to launch a medical revolution. The film will be followed by a panel discussion led by medical school faculty and students. Light refreshments will be served following the film. This event is free and open to the public.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24

STUDENTS & SERVICE PANEL
3:30-5:00pm, Reynolds Club South Lounge, 5706 S. University Ave.

Curious how University of Chicago students have been making a difference in the community? Ever wondered where you fit in? Come explore the possibilities as your peers share the unique and creative outlets that they’ve found in an ‘alternate life’ of service off-campus. Pizza will be provided.

HOW DOES CHANGE HAPPEN? A TALK BY ANGELA DAVIS
7:00pm- 9:00pm, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 1156 East 59th Street

As part of the Organization of Black Students (OBS) annual Kent Lecture, civil rights icon, Angela Davis, will address the issue of "unfinished work in the struggle for equality" in America. This lecture will focus on the current state of democracy in America, and the social challenges that remain for its multicultural citizens. The goal of this lecture is to open up a dialogue on how citizens of all races might work together to make progress towards racial equality and solid political influence.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25

LOST BOYS OF SUDAN
3:00pm-5:00pm, Social Service Administration - Lobby, 969 E. 60th Street

Members of The Lost Boys Rebuilding Southern Sudan will share their life experiences as orphaned boys in war torn Sudan. Their inspiring stories include overcoming hunger, dehydration, disease, and attacks by wild animals, as well as life in Kakuma, Kenya as refugees. They will share how today they build schools and community centers for their children living in Sudan. These amazing men exemplify the principles and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King through their courage, refusal to accept injustice, and an everlasting hope for a brighter future. Reception to follow.

ROOTS & RHYMES IV: A MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION
6:30pm-8:30pm, Reynolds Club - Hutchinson Commons, 5706 S. University Ave.

Come and enjoy refreshments, listen to live music, view vibrant dance, and experience enthralling spoken word among other forms of expression. Campus performers and artists in past years have included The Bhangra Team, Unaccompanied Women, Gingarte Capoeira, and Travis. This event is free and open to the public.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2008

During January and February, the Library presents an exhibition about Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, the source of this year’s theme, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The exhibition, which is in Regenstein Library, illustrates the historical context of 1963, the formal and informal transmission of the letter, its Biblical and philosophical allusions, and its links to the University of Chicago. Look for the Library’s MLK web page at http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/.