MLK Celebration 2012

22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebratory Events

The Politics of Wealth and Social Justice

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012 MLK banner

In recent years, racial tensions have risen, public educational institutions are being defunded, and the gap between the rich and poor has widened. The 2012 MLK Commemorative program, The Politics of Wealth and Social Justice, will focus on the wealthy - to examine how a small minority of the population can control the political arena that is so often toxic for the working class. We'll examine poverty in the midst of plenty as incompatible with democratic values.

Join this series of programs as we learn what questions to ask and what ideas to explore in times of great socio-economic change.

2012 MLK Program Booklet

2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events

Spiritual Celebration 2011

Spiritual Celebration

Sun, 01/29/2012 - 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Durham Community Church, Main Street, Durham

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.” Martin Luther King Jr., 1968.

Peace and Economic Justice: A Spiritual Celebration of the Legacy and Life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join the UNH and Durham communities in an inter-faith and multi-faith spiritual celebration centered on The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s call for economic justice. This is a spirited remembrance of the life and legacy of The Rev Dr. Martin Luther King in song, readings, reflection, and prayer. We hope to inspire a vision of justice to be put into practice: a dream to be made real.

The featured speaker will be Arnie Alpert, Program Director for the NH Office of the American Friends Service Committee and a key figure in the eventual adoption of the Martin Luther King holiday in New Hampshire. There will also be poetry and gifts of song offered by UNH students Carla Joseph, Marcela Cruz, Diane Spires and the Nat Balch Trio. A reception will follow the program. All are welcome to this moving and joyous evening!

A Conversation with Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:10pm - 2:00pm
Strafford Room, MUB

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. True compassion enables one to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

On the afternoon of the commemorative address, our MLK speaker Rev McNatt will be featured in an exploration of the complex public issue of wealth in a time of high unemployment and reductions in public flunding for support systems.

We'll examine conflicting values and conflicting information to ask how an oil company in 2008 made the biggest profit on record while the average citizen's retirement and investment money was being cut by one-third or in half. How does a small minority exert influence over the political arena to shape the way America does business? How may we find common ground and re-envision, in the spirit of equity, access and inclusion, our nation's economic system.

Additional info

Book by Rosemary McNatt Unafraid of the Dark Book: Unafraid of the Dark by Rosemary Bray McNatt

On the Web
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt on Beliefnet.com

2011 MLK audience

22nd Annual MLK Commemorative Address

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center

The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt: The Politics of Wealth and Social Justice

University Events and Programs presents powerful social change activist the Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt. A former editor of the New YorkTimes Review of Books and widely anthologized writer for 20 years before her work as a minister, she is also a columnist for Belief.net and the author of books "Unafraid of the Dark", Martin Luther King, and children's books.

Rev. McNatt has been joining those who dare to imagine a new socio-political and economic alternative that offers possibilities for equality. She will help us turn the focus from the poor and the disenfranchised and direct our attention toward the wealth. She'll address questions concerning how wealth influences the political system, laws, and public institutions impacting society and the individual and discuss what a more fair distribution of wealth would look like.

Mike Vidal, a UNH Senior, will be the host for the program. Meet Mike
Listen to Mike's "call to action"

Reception

Immediately Following Commemorative Address - to be held in Paul Creative Arts Center, Art Gallery

Book Signing

- Johnson Theatre lobby area

UNH Students

Community Call To Action

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:40pm - 2:00pm
Memorial Union Building (MUB) Strafford Room

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Community Call to Action: Looking at economic justice through the lens of multiple world views, philosophies, religious and spiritual traditions in the spirit of MLK's call to action

Join us in kicking off a new feature of the MLK Celebration: a Community Call to Action. We’ll be making connections in honor of MLK’s vision.

In 1970, CEOs, on average in the U.S., earned $25 for every dollar that their employees earned. In 2000, that figure increased to $90, and in 2004, it soared to $500 to an employee’s one dollar. Our discussions will not be against the idea of making money; instead, they will be directed at disparities and what our faith communities are doing to address them.

In the spirit of direct democracy, we'll examine the problems and connect with solutions as told by representatives of four different faith traditions. We’ll hear about the roles each may play in the future of economic justice.

Join lively roundtable discussions to explore community action for the common good.

Pathways to Change List of resources

MLK Events Sponsored By:

Admissions, Affirmative Action & Equity Office, Center For Academic Resources, College of Liberal Arts, Community Church of Durham, Counseling Center, Discovery Program, Diversity Support Coalition, Health Services, Inclusive Excellence Initiatives, Memorial Union Building, Office of Multicultural Student Association (OMSA), Office of the President, President's Commissions, Provost Office, Residential Life, University Programs and Events, UNH Police Department, UNH Chaplain's Association, United Campus Ministry to UNH, Waysmeet

All events are wheelchair-accessible.
For more information: TTY users: call NH Relay 7-1-1 or 1-800-735-2964.

Inclusive Excellence