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| Posted 01.22.07 |
Civil Rights Activist to Speak on Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 Wesleyan
will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a keynote
by the poet, author and civil rights activist Sonia Sanchez, pictured at
left, from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Memorial Chapel.
Professor Sanchez’s works are often passionate poems or works of prose that
touch on social issues of modern and past times. Many of her poems are
blunt, passionate and painfully truthful. She addresses the history of
African-Americans from slave times to modern oppression. From Malcolm X she
also learned how to present her poetry and always sustain the attention of
the audience.
Sanchez refers to the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. She met King in
1957 during a stop on his book tour. In an interview with a Seattle
newspaper, Sanchez reflected on Dr. King's work and recalled her reaction to
his death. A more in-depth biography can be found at:
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/276.
"We are excited to have such a prominent poet and civil rights activist at
Wesleyan for this important celebration,” says Rick Culliton, dean of Campus
Programs and member of the MLK Jr. Celebration Planning Committee.
“Professor Sanchez's poetry speaks to the legacy of Dr. King in so many ways
and we are honored to welcome her to campus to help us
remember Dr. King and his many accomplishments."
The Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration received funding from the Office
of the Dean of the College, the President's Office, and the Office of
Affirmative Action, with planning and support from a committee of staff,
students and faculty.
The MLK Jr. Celebration Planning Committee consists of Ruby-Beth Buitekant
'09; Kevin Butler, dean of Student Services; Rick Culliton, dean of Campus
Programs; Nicole Chabot, Student Activities program coordinator; Diana
Dozier, associate director of Affirmative Action; Persephone Hall, assistant
director of Human Resources; Julius Hampton, '09; Frank Kuan, director of
Community Relations; Cathy Crimmins-Lechowicz, director of Community Service and
Volunteerism; Tim Shiner, director of Student Activities and Leadership
Development; Gina Ulysse, assistant professor of African American studies
and anthropology.
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By Olivia Bartlett, The Wesleyan Connection
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