UNH pays tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Portsmouth's African Burying Ground
The African Burying Ground in
Portsmouth, N.H.
Courtesy photo

Film. Poetry. Art. Service.

These are a just four of the components of Art as Resistance and Remembrance, UNH’s 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute.

The event begins on Wednesday, Feb. 1, with the airing of the emotionally charged documentary film “Shadows Fall North,” which traces not just the discovery and eventual preservation of Portsmouth’s African Burying Ground but also the history of racism and race relations in New England.

And that is just the beginning.

As UNH President Mark Huddleston wrote in the announcement of this year’s event, “Through documentary film, spoken word, writing workshops and lectures, we will engage in critical dialogues related to the history of American race relations to form a clearer understanding of who we are as a society and re-imagine who we aspire to become.”

The arts will form the frame for the celebration, which will also include programs focusing on community service and campus change as well as an interfaith spiritual celebration.

Following the showing of “Shadows Fall North” in MUB Theatre II at 6 p.m. Feb. 1, the celebration will continue with special events all month:

Wildcats Agents of Change: A Snapshot will be held on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at the MUB Wall. Part of the Celebrate 150 Academic Series, Wildcat alumni will talk about their work for social change while students at UNH.

Day of Service is set for Feb. 11. Meet at the MUB at 10 a.m. to honor King’s vision with numerous projects benefiting the greater community, sponsored by Office of Community Service and Learning.

Just Because We're Magic, a creative writing workshop facilitated by Janae Johnson and Porsha Olayiwola, will be held in MUB Theatre II Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to produce short fiction, indulging the imagination to tell stories of victory over oppression.

Action Through Art, a call to action in spoken word poetry will feature Janae Johnson and Porsha Olayiwola Feb. 15 in the MUB Strafford Room. Enjoy free coffee during this reading and discussion with these two Poetry Slam champions.

Ken E. Nwadike, Jr., of the Free Hugs Project
Courtesy photo

Honoring Unsung Heroes, an interfaith spiritual celebration, will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 4 p.m. Feb. 19. The event will include a meditation on the lives of those who have resisted oppression and worked for the right of all to be treated with dignity and respect.

The Free Hugs Project is a continuation of King’s nonviolent movement by peace activist Ken E. Nwadike, Jr., in the MUB Strafford Room Feb. 22 at 7 p.m., Nwadike will talk about the Free Hugs Project and the goal of inspiring change and raising awareness of social issues. Nwadike, who was homeless in high school, fundraises for other homeless student athletes.

All events are open to students, faculty, staff and area residents and are free of charge.

For the full schedule of events, visit the 27th Annual UNH Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute website.