WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Series of MLK events continues Jan. 13, 2005 KALAMAZOO--Lectures, two film series and even a poetry slam are just some of the upcoming activities at Western Michigan University honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Events at WMU honoring the civil rights giant began with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Jan. 9 in Miller Auditorium and continued Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 12-13, in Waldo Library with readings by student employees and staff of King's speeches, famous quotes and poetry. Activities this year are in keeping with the theme "Integrating our Past with our Present: Impacting our Future." All are free and open to the public. Events continue through Jan. 21 and include the following. "Resisting Imperial Violence: MLK, Vietnam and Iraq," a discussion and presentation at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center. The session will provide an analysis of King's controversial opposition to the war in Vietnam rooted in his broader critique of America's foreign policy and its relevance to the war in Iraq. A film festival sponsored by the WMU Counseling and Testing Center. The series begins Tuesday, Jan. 18, with the film "The Color of Fear." The films are being shown to promote awareness and ongoing dialogue about race and challenge viewers to examine their life experiences, cultural identities and worldviews. Films continue with "The Way Home" on Wednesday, Jan. 19, and "Light in the Shadows" on Thursday, Jan. 20. All begin at noon in Room 2513 of Faunce Student Services Building. The DMA MLK Poetry Competition 2005. A poetry jam and competition, the event will feature poems by students, faculty and staff about King's life and legacy. The competition starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, in the Multicultural Center in the Trimpe Building. "African Americans in the World House: The Globalized Struggle for Human Rights from a Black Perspective," a lecture and discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 19, featuring Dr. Randal M. Jelks, associate professor of history at Calvin College and a noted authority on African American religious, urban and civil rights history. Jelks will share his reflections on King's impact on Africa and globalization. His address will begin at 3 p.m. in Room 3301 of Friedmann Hall. Numerous other events also are scheduled. Information about the events is available online at <www.wmich.edu/mlk/>. Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news