Jan. 5, 2005 – The University of Utah’s 21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Celebration, “The Challenge for a Multiracial Democracy in America,” Jan. 12-17, will feature Carlos Muñoz, Jr. as the keynote speaker. Muñoz is an internationally recognized expert on ethnic and racial politics, multiculturalism, immigration and affirmative action. All MLK events are free and open to the public. (See below for a calendar of events.)

On Thursday, Jan. 13, Muñoz will deliver the keynote address, at noon, in the Olpin Union Ballroom. A book signing will follow. Muñoz is professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, and a distinguished Latino scholar activist. Muñoz has authored pioneering works that have shaped the discipline of ethnic studies. His book Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movement won the Gustavus Myers Book Award for “outstanding scholarship in the study of human rights in the U.S.” and was a major resource for the PBS series “Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement.” On Sunday, Jan. 16, at 5 p.m., KUED-Channel 7 will present “One on One: An Interview with Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr.”

On Thursday, Jan.13, students from the U’s Theatre Department will present “A Forum Theatre Exploration of The Challenge,” at 7:30 p.m., in the Olpin Union East Ballroom.

The weeklong celebration will also include the screening of two films on campus during the celebration. On Wednesday, Jan. 12, “In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports” will be shown at the Olpin Union Theatre at 7 p.m. A discussion will be held following the film and will be facilitated by Bryan Brayboy, assistant professor in the U’s Department of Education, Culture & Society and director of the U’s American Indian Teacher Training Program. On Friday, Jan. 14, “Mumia Abu Jamal: A Case of Reasonable Doubt?” will be shown at the same theatre at 7 p.m.

On Monday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m., soul singer Ledisi, winner of the 2003 California Music Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, and her band, Anibade, will perform in Kingsbury Hall. Tickets for the concert are free but must be picked up in advance (Kingsbury Hall, 801-581-7100; Union Main Desk: 801-581-5888, ArtTix: 801-355-2787 and www.arttix.org). Prior to the performance, the annual MLK Youth Leadership Awards will be presented to 22 students, grades 7-12, from across Utah. These students will be recognized for their dedication to social action, positive change and building bridges among cultures and communities. Each award winner will receive a plaque, a cash reward and acknowledgement from family, teachers, counselors, friends, University and community members.

In honor of King and in celebration of Human Rights Day, the University, along with the Utah State Office of Education and the Educational Equity Unit, sponsored an essay contest, open to all Utah students in grades 7-12. One winner from each grade level was chosen and two overall winners – one from the junior high level and the other from the high school division – were selected. Winners will receive a cash award and be introduced at a luncheon following the MLK keynote address on Jan. 13.

Throughout the month of January, the exhibit “An Historical Look at Human Rights at the University of Utah, 1850-2004,” will be displayed at the U’s Eccles Health Sciences Library. The exhibit uses archival photos and historical documents to illustrate human rights issues in student life, academics, athletics and other areas at the U.

In addition to these events, a community service project, “Sharing the Gift of Literacy,” will run through Jan. 31. Donations of school supplies, new English and bilingual dictionaries and children’s books-in various languages-will benefit West High School’s Family Literacy Center. University campus drop-off locations include the Women’s Resource Center, Olpin Union, room 293; Marriott Library, Fine Arts Desk, 2nd Floor; Eccles Health Sciences Library; Alumni House and the U Bookstore. The Bookstore will be selling paperback English dictionaries for $3.88 to encourage the campus community to donate them to West High School’s Family Literacy Center. Purchasers who donate will receive a coupon for 20 percent off their next general book purchase. Cash donations may be sent to the University of Utah’s Office of the Associate Vice President for Diversity, 201 S. Presidents Cir., Rm. 204, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.

The first MLK celebration at the University of Utah, organized in 1985 by then U Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Afesa Adams, was created to bring the campus and the community together to honor King’s life, work and vision and explore his ideas in relation to current issues. The first celebration featured a standing-room-only presentation by Maya Angelou. Since then, presenters have included Michael Eric Dyson, Jeremiah Wright, Evelyn Hu-DeHart and musicians Diane Reeves and Donilo Perez.

The following University organizations are sponsors of this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: the Alumni Association, KUED-Channel 7, Office of the President, the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, the Department of Theatre, University Marketing & Communications and the Vice President for University Relations. Community sponsors include West High School’s Family Literacy Center, the Martin Luther King Human Rights Commission, the National Conference for Community & Justice and the Utah State Office of Education.

For more information on the MLK celebration events, visit www.diversity.utah.edu/mlk2005.html or call 801-581-7569.

Schedule

Jan. 1-31, Community Service Project, “Sharing the Gift of Literacy,” Jan. 1-31
Donations of school supplies, new English and bilingual dictionaries and children’s books-in various languages-can be deposited at University campus drop-off locations to benefit West High School’s Family Literacy Center

Jan. 12, Feature Film & Discussion, 7 p.m., Olpin Union Theatre, “In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports”

Jan. 13, Keynote Address, Noon, Olpin Union Ballroom, speaker Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr., expert on ethnic and racial politics, multiculturalism, immigration and affirmative action

Jan. 13, A Forum Theatre Exploration of “The Challenge,” 7:30 p.m., Olpin Union East Ballroom

Jan. 14, Feature Film & Discussion, 7 p.m., Olpin Union Theatre, “Mumia Abu Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?”

Jan. 16, KUED Presentation, 5 p.m., KUED-Channel 7, “One on One: An Interview with Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr.”

Jan. 17, Cultural Performance and Presentation of MLK Youth Leadership Awards, 6:30 p.m., Kingsbury Hall. Free, but ticket required. Soul singer Ledisi and her band Anibade