MLK Committee launches events promoting activism

From the rise of the Tea Party to the Black Lives Matter movement, activism remains a force in politics, and Lehigh’s MLK Committee is examining the ways these citizen-driven movements continue to drive social change.

MLK Committee co-chairs say the theme allows the campus community to reflect on a range of commemorative historical moments—such as the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act—and invite speakers and develop programs that feature scholars, artists, activists and public intellectuals who are critically engaged in social and cultural movements. The movements reflect all levels of engagement, scope and ideology, with a focus on the urgency of active engagement.

“I’m very excited for the work that will be done over the next four semesters as it pertains to our theme of activism and politics,” said Tyrone Russell, director of Multicultural Affairs and MLK co-chair. “Our nation has been and will continue to be shaped by people who rally as one for causes beneficial to all. Lehigh University and the MLK celebration committee will bring activists from all walks of life and ideologies.”

Fellow co-chair Lloyd Steffen, university chaplain and professor of religion studies, says the committee is laying the foundation for an exciting programming series that will “allow us to emphasize the connection between thinking and doing, and reflection and action.

“I think that as our programming unfolds, the entire campus community will find a lot to challenge them and inspire them,” he said.

Already scheduled is a panel discussion on “Slacktivism: Likes, Retweets and #Hashtags: Does Social Media Really Create Social Change?” for 4:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 in Sinclair Auditorium.

The faculty panel discussion will include Distinguished University Professor of Political Science Ted Morgan, Assistant Professor of Journalism Jeremy Littau, and Imaani El-Burki and Matt Veto, both professors of practice in the department of journalism and communication. Director of Arts Engagement and Community Relations and MLK Committee member Silagh White will moderate the discussion.

Earlier in the semester, the MLK Committee also supported a talk by reproductive rights activist Loretta Ross, who was brought to Lehigh by Women, Gender & Sexuality program and The Women’s Center.

Talks and events around MLK Day will be announced soon, but the organizers promise a slate of programs that offer a rare opportunity to engage with individuals who are leading social change through various mediums, and on a national scale.

Over the past two years, the committee has focused on the issue of mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex. Events and programs throughout the academic years engaged members of the campus community in thought-provoking lectures and discussions that included a discussion between iconic author, educator and activist Angela Davis and hip-hop artist Nas that was moderated by Director of Africana Studies and Associate Professor of English James Peterson, who is also a member of the MLK Committee.

Last year, the MLK Committee brought highly acclaimed civil rights lawyer, advocate and legal scholar Michelle Alexander to Lehigh to discuss her New York Times best-selling book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.

In addition to Russell, Steffen, Peterson and White, members of the MLK Committee include Gordon Moskowitz, psychology professor and department chair; Monica Miller, professor of religion studies and Africana Studies; Darius Williams, professor of theatre and Africana Studies; Linda Harbrecht, director of communications; and Madeleine Centrella ’18.