UF plans busy week of activities to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

January 10, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni will speak Jan. 20 as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week at the University of Florida.

Giovanni will discuss the ideals of equality in her dramatic oratory and share the experiences and thoughtful poetry that embody her activism and legacy of passion for the arts. She will speak at 7 p.m. in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. A book signing will follow the program.

Jarrod Cruz, UF’s director of multicultural and diversity affairs, said the theme of the events will continue this year to empower individuals to “Leave Your Mark” through reflection on eight values lived by King: courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility, service and tolerance.

“These values transcend any racial boundaries and are values for any person to strive to live by,” Cruz said. “These values will be reflected in each of the program opportunities provided during the week to empower others to make positive change in their communities and global community around them.”

The celebration of events marking King’s birthday will start Jan. 17 with people volunteering to do service in the community. Opportunities can be found at http://multicultural.ufl.edu/mlk/. The day continues with a ceremony and lunch at the Plaza of the Americas. Mary Kay Schneider Carodine, assistant vice president for student affairs, will speak. At noon, a march starts at Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville and continues to the MLK Multipurpose Center near Waldo Road.

A program at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 examines how popular culture portrays minorities and others. “TV Guide: A Look at Social Media” starts at 7 p.m. in the Reitz Student Union, Room 282. The program will assess and critique popular TV show such as “The Boondocks” and “The Family Guy” and they way the propagate or challenge stereotypes.

At 7 p.m. Jan. 19, a follow-up discussion will be held examining how the campus climate has changed since it was evaluated by Shaun Harper during his fall 2010 visit to campus. Harper examined how students of color feel supported on a predominantly white campus.

On Jan. 21, a candlelight vigil will be held in the Reitz Student Union Amphitheater to include a re-enactment of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. The program will include guest performances, video tributes, a moment of silence and a social justice pledge. It starts at 7 p.m.

Finally, the Writing on the Wall Project will kick off Jan. 23 at the Plaza of the Americas with the construction of a wall representing oppression and inhumanity toward all people. At the end of the week, the 9-by-40-foot cinderblock wall will be pulled down to symbolically represent tearing down the barriers among us.