"A Right Delayed Is a Right Denied: 2008 Martin Luther King Activities

The University of Utah has announced the activities included in the 24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Tied to the theme, "A Right Delayed Is a Right Denied," the activities will be held January 14 through January 21. All events are free and open to the public, and will be held on the University of Utah campus. The keynote address of the celebration will be delivered by Dr. Cornel West on Thursday, January 17, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Olpin Union Ballroom. Dr. West has been described as one of America's most vital and eloquent intellectuals. A noted philosopher, he has taken his struggle for racial equity to the national spotlight, providing a gifted and stimulating voice to the ongoing debate. Dr. West has authored 17 groundbreaking and thought-provoking books, including Race Matters and Democracy Matters, which have changed the course of discussion of race, justice, and democracy. The keynote address is co-sponsored by the Gender Studies Program at the U. Other activities, in order of date, include the following: "Preparing for the Changing Demographics" Campus/Community Panel Monday, January 14, Noon, Union Saltair Room This panel will address the demographic changes thare are not only relevant to the nation, but to Salt Lake and the state of Utah. Invited participants include Mayor Peter Corroon, Assistant to the Superintendent Kathleen Christy, Educator and community activist Archie Archuleta, Assistant Dean for the Graduate School Sweeny Windchief, and Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology Takuya Minami. Dr. Kathryn Stockton, director of the Gender Studies Program, will moderate. "How Research Promotes Access" College of Education Research Presentation Wednesday, January 16, 4 p.m., 201 Milton Bennion Hall Senior scholars from the College of Education will present their research as it applies to access and equity within their respective areas of study. Boys of Beraka Featured Film and Discussion Wednesday, January 16, 7 p.m., Olpin Union Theatre The award-winning documentary The Boys of Beraka reveals the human face of a tragic statistic—61 percent of Baltimore's African-American boys fail to graduate from high school, and 50 percent of them go on to jail. The film is presented by students from the University of Utah. MLK Youth Leadership Award Presentation Monday, January 21, 6:30 p.m., Kingsbury Hall The 2008 Youth Leadership Awards are presented to students, grades seven to twelve, from across the state of Utah, honorng and celebrating their dedication to social action, positive change, and building bridges among cultures and communities. Multicultural Arts Performances Monday, January 21, 7 p.m., Kingsbury Hall Featured artists for the evening include: Ballet Folklorico Bernice Kida, Governor Award-Winning Japanese Traditional Dance Performer Bryant Middle School Jazz Band "Halan Hula O Keola," Hawaiian Dance Performers Salt Lake Capoeira Group, with Mestrando Jamaika The event is free, but tickets are required and seats are reserved. Tickets are available at the Kingsbury Hall Ticket Office, 1395 East Presidents Circle, 581-7100. You can also get tickets online at www.kingsbury.utah.edu. For more information on the celebration, visit www.diversity.utah.edu/mlk2008.html.