Eastern Mennonite University will host its eighth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 19, and Monday, Jan. 20.
The theme, “Radical Truth-telling,” centers around the words of a 1947 essay written by King while at Morehouse College: “Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.”
A film screening of “Black Wall Street Burning” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the MainStage Theater. The film is a retelling of the Tulsa race massacre of 1921, when mobs of white residents attacked Black residents and destroyed homes and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A talkback session will follow the screening.
Monday’s activities include a 9:45 a.m. Unity March from University Commons, a 10 a.m. Speak Out at Lehman Auditorium, and a 10:15 a.m. Convocation featuring Jodie Geddes MA ’16. Geddes, co-author of “The Little Book of Racial Healing,” an advocate for racial healing and justice and an international speaker on restorative justice, will deliver a talk on “Radical Truth-telling.”
Other events on Monday include a soul food lunch at Northlawn Cafeteria, circle processes facilitated by the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding, a Black hair care and free cuts event, and a session on the history of Harrisonburg’s Ida Mae Francis Guest House. The last event, hosted by Professor Mark Sawin, is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in University Commons 176.
A three-part “Resistance and Rest” workshop, hosted by Geddes, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Studio Theater. The workshop will engage in journaling, meditation and therapeutic processes.
Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services at EMU and chair of the committee planning the celebration, said the theme of “Radical Truth-telling” challenges us to embrace King’s vision by confronting uncomfortable truths and fostering honest dialogue about our shared history and future.
“Through these events, which reflect EMU’s values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith, we hope to inspire our community to engage in meaningful reflection and action,” Thomas said.
Geddes holds a master’s in conflict transformation from EMU’s Center for Justice & Peacebuilding. While at EMU, Geddes explored the intersections of peacebuilding, restorative justice and systems change. She works with Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, providing support for community members experiencing crises with mental wellness as well as other community resources. She is the co-manager for Coming to The Table, a nonprofit affiliated with EMU that provides training and resources for communities and individuals to explore the history and legacy of enslavement.
A full schedule of Sunday’s and Monday’s events is available online.
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Rebecca Barnabi
