LEWISTON — Spotlighting a less-known aspect of the work of civil rights icon the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Bates College will dedicate its King Day programming to exploring issues of financial inequality and debt.

The theme of the observances is “Debt and Inequality: The Relevance of King’s Forgotten Economic Message.”

Never out of date, the question of financial inequality is especially pertinent now, given a national election season and “fiscal cliff” debate in which issues of economic fairness have been central, according to a statement from the college.

Taking place Sunday and Monday, Jan. 20-21, Bates’ programming features films, workshops and two addresses by Anthea Butler, a theologian whose forthcoming book explores the connection between Sarah Palin’s politics and her religion.

The two-day event will also feature performances, including one by the Bates student group Sankofa.

Sunday’s events include documentary films examining issues of corporate power and civil rights history, as well as the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service, featuring a sermon by Butler.

On Monday, the college presents Butler’s keynote address, a debate between Bates and Morehouse College students, a play and workshops, as well as the Sankofa event.

See a complete schedule of King Day programming at Bates: bates.edu/mlk/mlk-program-2013/.

All King Day events are open to the public at no cost, but a few do require tickets for admission. For more information, call 786-6400.

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