Media Relations
William Woods University

William Woods University students and faculty will recognize the struggle for equality and the man who became the forefront of the movement with a series of events about emancipation, civil rights and Martin Luther King, Jr. All programs are free and open to the public.

 

Joanne Bland, who participated in "Bloody Sunday" and other protest marches as a young girl, will share her experiences Monday evening (Jan. 16) in a talk called, "Witness of history in the struggle for civil rights."     

 

However, the series, titled "MLK: Past, Present and Future," starts earlier that day when Dr. Bryan Carter presents "RESPECT: Mercy, Mercy, Me, What's Goin' On." His program is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday in the library auditorium

 

An associate professor at the University of Central Missouri, Carter plans to give an insightful look at the music, poetry and art during the civil rights movement and shortly after.

 

Bland, co-founder of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Ala., will speak at 7 p.m. Monday in Cutlip Auditorium. She will share some of her experiences and insights into the civil rights movement.  Her speech is part of the President's Concert and Lecture Series.

 

The Multicultural Affairs Club at WWU will also celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s life-long battle to achieve civil and human rights for everyone by showing the documentary, "The Story of Human Rights," in the Ivy Room (lower level of Tucker Dining Hall) at 4 p.m. Tuesday. A discussion about the importance of knowing one's rights will also be held.

 

"With so much that has been done, and continues to be done, to destroy human life, it's important to know that God creates courageous individuals like Dr. King to bring about a kind of balance in this world," said Tammy Carter, director of multicultural affairs at WWU.

                                                                       

Later Tuesday, the University of Missouri's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will perform, "Why We Step," a presentation and demonstration of the rich history surrounding the stepping movement.  Their performance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in Cutlip Auditorium.

 

Students and community members are invited to join the Rev. Travis Tamerius, university chaplain, at noon Wednesday in Thurmond Chapel for "We Shall Overcome: The Message of a Movement."

 

This talk will explore the vision of the civil rights movement and how it is was inspired by fundamental religious ideals. Tamerius plans to share excerpts from King's historic speeches and discuss the important people and ideas that influenced his life and work.

 

Steve Hageman, instructor of history, will present "The Long Arc of Justice: From Emancipation to the Black Freedom Movement and Beyond" at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the library auditorium.

 

In honor of the 150^th anniversary of President Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, Hageman will discuss the long arc of African-American struggles to give meaning to the "freedom" entailed in that momentous proclamation.

 

"It's less important to 'memorialize' Dr. King and the civil rights movement because that consigns their struggles to the past," Hageman said. "It is better to reflect upon them and celebrate them as important and wonderful parts of the long and ongoing struggle for social justice and human dignity that began before them and continues to this day."

William Woods University's recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. will conclude with a musical tribute at 5 p.m. Thursday in Dulany Auditorium. The concert will feature WWU's show choir, First Impressions, singing select gospel-inspired selections.

 

The choir will be joined by soloists from Jefferson City and Kingdom City. In addition, the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church's praise team from Columbia will render musical selections.

                                                           

 

CUTLINE:

Joanne Bland