An exciting line-up of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events is lined up for next week:
MLK Welcome Luncheon and Keynote Speaker Collin Williams Jr.: “Like You’ve Never Seen Obstacles”
Sharing his personal experiences as a first-generation college graduate with West Indian roots, Collin Williams, Jr. will give a riveting talk on the struggles of Black and Latino students in America and his current research with Dr. Shaun Harper at the University of Pennsylvania. Opening remarks will be given by Naudia Williams ’14.
Monday, January 20, Bond Memorial Hall, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
MLK Luncheon and Documentary: “The Story of Higher Education for Undocumented Students”
Enjoy lunch and a lively discussion with colleagues about the state of higher education for undocumented students. A short documentary highlighting the revolutionary work of Freedom University will be shown, with closing remarks to be given by Jennifer Marks-Gold, International Students and Scholars Advisor at Swarthmore. (Film to begin at 12:15pm).
Wednesday, January 22, Black Cultural Center, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
MLK film, “Waiting For Superman”
Documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim explores the tragic ways in which the American public education system is failing our nation’s children, and explores the roles that charter schools and education reformers could play in offering hope for the future. Snacks will be provided.
Wednesday, January 22, Scheuer Rm, Kohlberg, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
MLK Collection & Reception: “Reflecting on Our Past & Present: Three Generations of Swarthmore Men”
Guest speakers Maurice Eldridge, Professor Keith Reeves, and Paul Cato ’14 will offer some brief remarks about their Swarthmore experiences with a special performance by the BCC Gospel Choir.
Friday, January 24, Friends Meeting House, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
One Peace and Conflict Studies professor received his MLK Day reading as a holiday present:
“My research suggests that ‘the scandal of the cross’ is a scandal of sexualised violence, and it is also scandalous for theologians and churches to have been silent on this for so long. In in response to reports of widespread conflict-related sexualised violence (including Central America in the 1980s, Bosnia and Rwanda in the 1990s, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last decade) the central symbol of Christianity needs to be seen in a new way. The cross challenges theologians to break the silence and taboo of sexualised violence, and yet do so in a way that affirms the dignity of victims past and present. The lecture points to how this might be done in three areas of theological thought: the humanity of Christ; the unspoken memories of Eucharist; and the good news of resurrection.”