Two events are planned for the South Dakota State University campus to recognize the work of Martin Luther King Jr.
The university and Brookings community is invited to gather at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Ag Hall 100A to view network news interviews of King from the 1960s. The audience will have an opportunity to discuss what they saw and how it applies to today's society.
The second event is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Marketplace in the University Student Union. This will be an open-mic format in which people can share remembrances of King through speech, song or poem, according to Willie Harmon, program adviser in the SDSU Office of Multicultural Affairs.
He is organizing the events with Jaime Nolan-Andrino, SDSU's chief diversity officer.
She drew attention to King's quote: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
She added, "This statement from Dr. King is most relevant to the SDSU community today as we continue our work in fostering an inclusive campus community. As we move forward, it is important we centralize our thinking and approach with the vision and legacy Dr. King provided.
"The programs and events offered this week will be a testament to the work and commitment to which our university community is dedicated."
Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was born Jan. 15, 1929. The third Monday in January, this year Jan. 20, is observed as a state and federal holiday. There are no classes and university offices will be closed Monday.