"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically....Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education."
A Message from the Chair of the MLK Planning Committee
Penn will once again be joining the nation in commemorating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose legacy lives on, and befitting his legacy is this year's theme Keeping the Dream Alive.
If you believe in Dr. King's dream you can no longer wait for the American conscience to suddenly awaken. Do what you know must be done to keep the dream alive. The new millennium is approaching and it's time for everyone to take a personal stand to ensure the success of the "Dream" in our lifetime by stirring up not only the American conscience but also our own.
I would like to publicly thank the planning committee, student organizations, departments, schools and centers for their continued commitment and hard work to make this celebration possible for the University and the community-at-large.
A number of programs and activities are being planned throughout campus and I challenge you to stand up and be counted. A listing of all activities will be on the African American Resource Center's homepage at www.upenn.edu/aarc and the University's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. homepage at www.upenn.edu/VPGE/mlk.html. MLK programs will continue throughout the spring semester.
All programs are open to the community.
--Afi Roberson, 1999 Executive Chair
Some Upcoming MLK Events:
Through January ... and Beyond*
Now Grass Roots Social Change: A Film Series Inspired by Dr. King; titles all month long on the ResNet Movie channel 11. For a schedule, visit the Penn Video Network web site, www.upenn.edu/video. Through January 31.
16 Family Festival of Fun Celebration of African Cultures; music, dance performances, workshops, storytelling and more; explore different customs and cultures from Africa; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Museum; admission: $5 adults, $2.50 children, senior citizens, & students; Free for Museum members, PENNCard holders, children under 6; info: 898-2680 (University Museum).
16 Rickie Levon Cameron, Tenor & Christopher Wong, Piano; arts songs & spirituals by African-American composers; 8 p.m.; Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center; $10, $5-students; info: Annenberg Box Office, 898-6791 (Dept. of College Houses & Academic Services).
17 MLK Banner Painting Event; students gather to create banners decorated with quotes from Dr. King to be displayed on Locust Walk; 2-6 p.m.; Civic House, 3914 Locust Walk; 898-4831 (Civic House).
17 Martin Luther King, Sr. Anti-Violence Vigil; candlelight vigil to commemorate Dr. King's legacy. The march will begin at Du Bois College House on to the Christian Association for prayers and speeches; 7-8:30 p.m.; Du Bois College House & Christian Association (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.).
18 The History & Memory of the Black Bottom; presentations, a theater performance, panel discussion and reception; 9-11:30 a.m.; Terrace Room, Logan Hall (Grad. School of Education, Black Bottom Assoc.).
18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast: "Memory of A King"; keynote speaker: Walter Palmer, Palmer Foundation, SSW; also Curtis Redding and Stuart Jasper; 9-11 a.m.; Du Bois College House; (UMOJA,BGAPSA, UMC).
18 Philadelphia Housing Authority Youth & Adolescent Program in West Philadelphia; join 25 teens from West Philadelphia and BLSA for breakfast and discussion; special guest Judge Carol Wells; 9:30 a.m.; Law School; PENNCard required (Penn Black Law Student Assn.).
18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Noontime Commemorative Program; keynote speaker: Rev. Betty Campbell, Salem Baptist Church; also, the Philadelphia Girls High School Choir and the MLK Essay Contest Winners; noon-2 p.m.; Penn Tower Hotel; info: Tom Henry, 898-2286 (African American Association of Administrators, Faculty & Staff).
18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Lunch; special Holiday Lunch Buffet; call to inquire about prices; noon-4 p.m.; Penn Tower Hotel; contact: PT's, 387-8333.
18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium: "How the University of Pennsylvania Can Help Keep Dr. King's Dream Alive Here at Penn and in the Community-at-Large"; moderator: Ivan Juzang; panelists: Angel Ortiz, Mark Barnes, Dr. Wendy Addae, and Dr. William Franklin; 3-4:30 p.m.; Du Bois College House (UMOJA, BGAPSA, UMC).
18 University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Evening Program; speaker: Angel Ortiz, Councilman-at-Large; also featuring an MLK Community Service Award recipient; 5-6:30 p.m.; Room A-1, DRL.
18 Eyes on the Prize; broadcast on the Penn Video Network Channel 24; 6 p.m. and continuing every 2 hours in full rotation each day. Also showing on January 19 & 20 (Penn Video Network).
19 The Time is Always Right to Do What is Right-Community Service Fair; students get involved in community service; meet reps from the community service organizations on campus; 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Civic House.
19 A Night with Brother Paul Robeson; exploring Robeson's influence on Civil Rights and celebrating the legacy of his pursuit for social and economic justice; 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; Multipurpose Room, Du Bois College House (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.).
20 Voter Registration Drive; getting students and staff registered to vote; 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; AARC, 3537 Locust Walk. Also February 3, 10, 17 & 24 (AARC).
20 Current Exhibits; free admission with PENNCard; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; ICA; (Institute of Contemporary Art).
20 The Village of Arts and Humanities Presents "Time Montage"; theater/dance performance; 7 p.m.; Dunlop Auditorium, Stemmler Hall (Social Work).
21 Interfaith Council Program; featuring Charles Marsh, theology, Loyola College, and author of God's Long Summer: Stories of Faith and Civil Rights and The Use and Abuse of Faith in the Civil Rights Struggle; 4:30 p.m., B-6, Stiteler Hall (Office of the Chaplain).
26 University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Public Reception and Keynote Address; by Rev. Al Sharpton, president, National Action Network, 4:30-5:30 p.m., B-1, Meyerson Hall; reception: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
* For
a list of other MLK events through March 3, see the websites above.--Ed.
Almanac, Vol. 45, No. 16, January 12, 1999