Bates announces MLK Day events

LEWISTON — The Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Bates College this year will include three days of presentations, lectures, discussion sessions, readings and performances, ending with a read-in at Martel School on Wednesday afternoon.

The theme for this year’s event is “Lifting Every Voice: Intersectionality and Activism.”

On Sunday, the program kicks off at 2 p.m. in Pettengill Hall with a film and discussion of Yance Ford’s documentary, “Strong Island,” which chronicles one family’s journey from the racial segregation of the south to New York City, and how the family was affected by the shadow of race over the years. The event will be facilitated by James Reese, associate dean for international student programs.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, the community is invited to an open dress rehearsal at the Schaeffer Theatre as students of explore stories of the African diaspora through dance, music, theater, spoken word and more.

The evening will end with an interfaith service at 7 p.m. in the Chapel featuring the Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thomas, who is the associate dean of religious life and of the chapel at Princeton University. For more information about this event, call 207-786-8272.

On Monday, the celebration of King’s life and accomplishments will continue with a keynote address delivered by Barbara Ransby, distinguished professor of African American studies, gender and women’s studies and history at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition to her academic duties, Ransby directs the university’s Social Justice Initiative, which connects academics and community organizers to pursue social justice work.

The author of three books, Ransby was president of the National Women’s Studies Association from 2016 and 2018.

The event will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the chapel.

Following the keynote, the day’s events will continue with multiple workshop sessions in the morning.

At 12:30 p.m., the MLK Day readings will begin in the Commons, starting with a reading from “Real American: A Memoir,” by Julie Lythcott-Haims, examining the question, “Who is a real American?”

Workshops will continue through the afternoon, concluding with a student debate between Morehouse College and Bates College. That event begins at 3:45 p.m. in the Olin Concert Hall.

The day will end with the Sankofa performance at 7:30 p.m. in Schaeffer Theatre, considered to be a symbol of pride and accomplishment for members of the African diaspora at Bates.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bates staff and student volunteers will share books and read to students at Martel School, and will donate books for classroom use.

The MLK events are free, but tickets are required for some.

For more details, including a full schedule of events, go to www.bates.edu/mlk