MLK Day honored with multiple events

Coat drive, live performance, film showing celebrate MLK Day

Jan. 17, 2020 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University’s Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion has partnered with groups across campus and across the region to launch a three-day celebration from Jan. 22 to 24 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideals and legacy.

The events begin with the Coat & Boot Drive organized by the Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion and TRIO Student Support Services. The offices are accepting donations of coats, boots and winter accessories to be distributed to students on Jan. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Hoke Union Building, Room 339. Donations of new or gently used items can be dropped off at the Multicultural Center on the second Floor of Hoke or at the TRIO Student Support Services office at Loso Hall, Room 154, through Jan. 18.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 in Groth Recital Hall (Loso Hall, Room 126), actor, executive director of Dialogues on Diversity, and trainer for more than 20 years, Ron Jones, will present “MLK and the Strength of Shared Dreams.” Through live character portrayal and video, “Shared Dreams” depicts how Dr. King’s “Poor People’s Campaign” was a turning point in intersectional advocacy: a broad cross-section of cultural groups coming together to fight against poverty. 

“Had Dr. King lived to be the face of this young movement, it would have changed the way we look at race and social issues,” Ron Jones said. “We believe it would have been a great leap forward in our American Civil Rights story.” 

Dialogues on Diversity is the country’s premier social justice and diversity theater company, having produced more than 700 performances in 44 states. The campus is invited to a “Meet & Greet the Artist” reception with refreshments before the presentation, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Multicultural Center.

The week will end with a free screening of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” at 6 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Cook Memorial Library Community Room (2006 Fourth Street). The movie is based on the book of the same name by author Rebecca Skloot. The non-fiction story documents the life of Henrietta Lacks, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in the 1950s. Unbeknownst to her and her family, Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells would lead to breakthroughs that changed the face of medicine forever.  

The story deals with ethical issues of race and class in medical research. Lacks’ cells were taken, cultured, used in medical experiments, and even sold commercially all without her or her family’s consent. The movie is sponsored in part by the Racial Justice in Eastern Oregon (RJEO). 

All events are free and open to all. They’re made possible by support from the Student Council for Multicultural Affairs, TRIO/Student Support Services, Office of the University Counsel, Diversity Committee, Racial Justice in Eastern Oregon (RJEO), and the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion. 

For more information, please contact the Multicultural Center at 541-962-3741.