For Greene County News
FAIRBORN — Wright State University is honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with many events, including a brunch, campus march and rally, a video screening and a city-wide march and rally in Dayton. Events began Friday, Jan. 15, and will continue through Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Edward Twyman, director of the Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center, was particularly looking forward to students, faculty, staff and alumni attending Dayton’s Citywide MLK March and Rally on Monday, Jan. 18.
“This collaborative event helps build a strong sense of the beloved community espoused by Dr. King and provides an opportunity to begin one-to-one connections with people from different groups and backgrounds,” Twyman said. “Building relationships and connections create the foundation for change.”
Faculty, staff, students and alumni met 9 a.m. Monday in front of the Student Union and carpooled to Dayton’s MLK march and rally. Participants were encouraged to wear Wright State clothing.
On Tuesday, Jan. 19, a student-led campus march and rally will highlight King’s Six Steps of Non-Violence for social and interpersonal change. Marchers should gather at 10 a.m. in the Millett Hall Atrium.
MLK Week will conclude with a screening of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Millett Hall Atrium. The event will include a discussion using nonviolence action to change unjust laws. The film was produced by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University.
The screening was the most-attended event last year. It will be led by Tracy Snipe, associate professor of political science.
“Hopefully, participants will come away with knowledge of the legacy and commitment of the second black American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to achieve equality for blacks and the poor of all races,” Twyman said. “Participants will experience firsthand community service-related activities occurring during the time set-aside for the first national holiday to honor an individual black American. But even more, participants can better understand the micro-aggressions and conditions facing blacks on campus and in the country. Participants can also reflect on or answer King’s question of ‘what are you doing for others?’”
All events are free, although registration was required for the MLK brunch.
