CSB and SJU to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King with series of events

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University will honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during events celebrating MLK Week Jan. 16-20.

The schools will remember the late civil rights leader with a series of events on both campuses. Throughout the week, students, faculty, staff and guests will speak about King and the state of civil rights in America. The theme of the week is, "Making Connections, Doing the Work."

Here's a rundown of the events, by day:

Monday, Jan. 16

Robin DiAngelo, a lecturer at the University of Washington, will deliver the MLK keynote speech at 3:30 p.m. at Escher Auditorium, Benedicta Arts Center, CSB. DiAngelo, who received her doctorate from the University of Washington, has researched Whiteness Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis, explicating how whiteness is reproduced in everyday narratives. A former professor at Westfield State University, she has also served as a consultant and trainer for over 20 years on the issues of racial and social justice. Please note that a shortened class schedule on the first day of spring term will be held, allowing the community to attend DiAngelo's address.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

The movie "Selma" will be shown continuously from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 120, Gorecki Center, CSB. "Selma" chronicles the three-month period in 1965 when King led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

A panel made up of CSB and SJU students will discuss "What is the Civil Rights Movement of our Day?" at 7 p.m. in the Centenary Room (room 264), Quadrangle Building, SJU.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Members of the CSB/SJU faculty and staff will discuss "Seeing Race" at 4:30 p.m. in room 204, Gorecki Center, CSB. The discussion will center on their roles inside and outside the classroom.

Thursday, Jan. 19

A C.A.R.E. (Community Anti-Racism Education) Workshop begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Founders Room (room 170), Quadrangle Building, SJU. Participants will delve into what it means to be engaged in the work of anti-racism as we continue the work of creating a hospitable and inclusive community. 

Friday, Jan. 20

An all-day Teach-In will be held from 8:20 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. in room 204, Gorecki Center, CSB, and from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in room 264, Quadrangle Building, SJU. A number of professors at CSB/SJU will present lectures throughout the day at each campus.

Ken Jones, professor of history at CSB/SJU, and Peggy Roske, CSB/SJU archivist, will present the plenary session, "A Proposition Concerning Survival: Black Students Occupy the SJU President's Office," at 3:30 p.m. in the Centenary Room (room 264), Quadrangle Building, SJU. Jones and Roske will tell the story and provide historical context for the 1970 event, which was a milestone in the evolution of race relations at CSB and SJU. A

"Food for the Soul Dinner" is at 5 p.m. in room 204, Gorecki Center, CSB. No RSVP is needed for the event. A talent showcase follows at 6:30 p.m. in the Gorecki Family Theater, Benedicta Arts Center, CSB.