From a reenactment of Rosa Parks’ historic civil rights protest to a discussion on nonviolent approaches to justice, the University of Miami will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a series of events during the week of January 20.
Under the theme “The Beloved Community: United We Rise, In Peace We Stand,” events get underway on Monday, January 20, when students, faculty, and staff will gather at the University Center Rock at 7 a.m. for a trip to Homestead Middle School, where they will paint murals, clean classrooms, and do a little gardening as part of an MLK Day of Service.
On Wednesday, January 22, students will re-create the moment almost 60 years ago when Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, igniting a city-wide bus boycott and becoming one of the most important symbols of the civil rights movement.
United Black Students, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Planet Kreyol, Students Toward a New Democracy, SpectrUM, Unity Roundtable, and UProv are sponsors of the events, which are free and open to the University Community.
<b>Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service</b>
7 a.m. at the UC Patio. RSVP via the Butler Center’s <a href="https://orgsync.com/login" title="OrgSync page">OrgSync page</a> by 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 18.
<b>Wednesday, January 22 – Reliving the Stand</b>
12 p.m. at the UC Rock. A reenactment of a historic civil rights moment, the event also will feature poetry readings and entertainment.
<b>Wednesday, January 22 – Martin Luther King Jr. High School Oratorical</b>
7 p.m. in the Student Activities Center Senate Room. Join members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as they inspire high school men of color through oratory.
<b>Thursday, January 23 – Beyond the Public Eye: A Nonviolent Approach to Justice</b>
7 p.m. at the Hecht Residential College master’s apartment. A discussion of the violent injustices that are hidden from the public eye.
<b>Saturday, January 25 – Canes LEAD Conference</b>
9:30 a.m. at the Student Activities Center. Participants will learn strategies for success, lessons on leadership, and practical skills needed to navigate our global society.
For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at <a href="http://www.sarc.miami.edu/msa/mainsite/" title="www.miami.edu/msa">www.miami.edu/msa</a> or 305-284-2855.
