Holler if You Hear Me:
Race, Culture, and Democracy
For the 18th consecutive year the University of New Hampshire is pleased to sponsor a series of events celebrating the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our week-long celebration starting on January 24, 2008 will focus on King's work for a free and just democracy. Social analyst, hip-hop intellectual, ordained minister, best-selling author and Georgetown University Professor,
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will deliver the Commemorative Address
2008 Celebration Schedule of Events
2007 MLK Photo Exhibit
Photo Art Exhibit: In Search of Democracy: A Refugee Story
Historically, Americans have expressed their ambivalence towards immigrants and refugees who seek to resettle in the U.S. While some feel that newcomers add a fresh cultural and political perspective, others suggest that those who seek refuge here exact too high a cost on American society and pose a threat to our democracy.
"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." --- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For more information on the exhibit
2007 MLK Spiritual Celebration
MLK Spiritual Celebration: Soul and Spirit of Democracy
St George's Episcopal Church, Downtown Durham
An inter-faith celebration that affirms, supports and highlights the spiritual foundation that Martin Luther King, Jr. brought to his work and life. This event is a spirited gathering featuring songs, drumming, a Chautaqua presentation, music, poetry, dance, and a candle-lighting in remembrance of Dr King.
All are welcome!
"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom." --- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2007 MLK Educational Panel
Educational Panel: The Rap on Democracy: Culture, Power, and Social Change
Strafford Room, MUB
Featuring Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Professor Harvard Sitkoff, The Honorable Jackie Weatherspoon, and UNH student Cait Vaughan, with Professor Reginald Wilburn moderating. This panel will examine the radical implications of King's legacy for American democracy today through the politics of rap, women-centered politics at UNH, and political work in the N.H. legislature
"It is a sad fact that because of comfort, complacency, a morbid fear of communism, proneness to adjust, the Western nations that initiated so much of the revolutionary spirit of the modern world have now become the arch anti-revolutionaries." --- Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
More information on the Educational Panel and Reading List »
Michael Eric Dyson: Bio & book list
Commemorative Address : "Dr. King for the 21st Century"
PCAC Johnson Theatre at UNH
Michael Eric Dyson, Social Analyst, hip-hop intellectual, ordained minister, a two time NAACP Image Award winner and Georgetown University professor, will deliver the Commemorative Address focusing on King's work for a free and just democracy.
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The event will also feature African drumming and dance with UNH Junior Marie Gakuba and members of the Rwandan dance troupe, Varginanga; a spoken word presentation by UNH Senior, Jessica Compton, Stage Producer, Sandra Clark; and a Step performance by Dartmouth College, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Join us for an opportunity to have your book signed and engage in conversation with Michael Eric Dyson at the Reception and Book Signing immediately following the Commemorative Address at The PCAC Art Gallery.
"You and I are part of a democratic experiment that is made sharper and more luminous and incredibly lucid by the difficult work of struggle by the ordinary folk, who never get the credit." --- Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Divine Hall, student-created diversity mural
"Act Now" A Campus Activism Fair in Support of Local Refugee and Immigrant Populations
Granite State Room, MUB
Building on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the fair seeks to not only raise awareness around the global plight of refugee and immigrant populations - but to also provide student and community activists a chance to explore a range of service opportunities that are in direct support of the refugee and immigrant populations.
This event will feature personal stories from resettled refugees living in New Hampshire. Representatives from a variety of refugee and immigrant resettlement organizations will also be in attendance to share information about volunteer and service learning opportunities, including UJIMA Collective, Somali Bantu Community, the Concord African Community Organization, the Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program, and New Hampshire Catholic Charities.
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." --- Excerpted from "The Drum Major Instinct", a sermom by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1968.
2008 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Essay Contest: "What Would Make You Start a Revolution?"
In conjunction with the themes of the celebration and Dr. Dyson's keynote address about the radicalism of MLK Jr., we ask the contestants to answer the following questions: What would make you start a revolution? What is a revolution? How would you start a revolution? Is there anything essential to revolution?
Who may enter: Any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at UNH. Current students may submit an original piece that is either unique to the contest or originally written as a class assignment.
Criteria: Essay is to be no more than 500 words. Students must reference at least one work by keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Essays will be judged on originality, creativity, clarity, organization, relevance to the question's theme, grasp of the English language, overall affect.
Prizes: 1st place: $250, 2nd place: $100, 3rd place: $50
Camp Merrowvista, Tuftonboro, NH
Named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the MLK Leadership Summit is a two and a half day leadership development program that allows students to build multicultural competencies and to expand their understanding of leadership and community activism through a social justice lens. Participants work to increase their awareness and knowledge of multiple social issues. The King Summit is open to all current full-time undergraduate students.
For more information and application
MLK Events sponsored by:
Affirmative Action & Equity Office, African American Studies, American Studies, Black Heritage Partnerships, Center for New England Culture, Discovery Program, Diversity Initiatives, Academic Achievement & Support, McIntosh College, Memorial Union Building, MUB Printing, NH Institute of Art, Office of Community Service, Office of Health Education & Promotion Health Services, OMSA, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Queer Studies, Race Culture Power, Residential Life, St George's Church, The Center for the Humanities, The English Department, the President's Commission on the Status of People of Color, Thompson School of Applied Science, UNH Graduate School, Women's Studies
Events supported by:
Admissions, Alliance, Black Student Union, CORAJ, Diversity Support Coalition, Jukwaa Mazoa, Presidential Events, The Healing Garden, UNH Chaplain's Association, United Campus Ministry to UNH
