Diversity was the name of the game as the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations on campus reached their climax yesterday with panel discussions, cultural performances and a poetry slam.
King's birthday celebrations began this morning with a discussion sponsored by the Student Employee Relations Coalition called "Martin Luther King, Jr.: Poverty and Labor Issues." Speaking to almost 50 students, administrators and community members were panelists Charles Payne, professor of history, Roona Roy, a student activist from Harvard University, David Winstead, a UE465 union steward for maintenance workers and Nick Wood, a label organizer for the Farm Labor Organization Committee, which sponsored the Mt. Olive Pickle boycott.
After Payne gave background information to link King's experience with labor to issues today, each panelist spoke about their experience working with labor groups, including immigrant labor groups and the rise of unions here at Duke and in North Carolina as well as at Harvard.
"Roona, a student leader in the Harvard living wage
Another panel discussion followed, called "Scholarship and Activism in a Time of War." Panelists included people who traveled to Washington, D.C., Saturday to protest the possible war against Iraq.
The annual afternoon Cultural Extravaganza continued the theme of diversity by celebrating King's birthday through performance selections showcasing the various ethnicities and talents of University students. The student groups ranged from Dance Black and United in Praise to Speak of the Devil, Sabrosura and an Indian dance group.
"I was really pleased with the performances. They went exceptionally well, better than we could have imagined, and the turnout was good too," said senior Thaniyyah Ahmad, a student representative on the King Commemoration Committee, one of the hosts of the Extravaganza and Duke Student Government vice president for community interaction.
One of the selections by Dance Black, set to a remake of the song "What's Going On" originally recorded by Marvin Gaye, especially highlighted King's work.
"The song talked about problems faced by society and considering the legacy of Dr. King, I think our piece was especially fitting," said junior Melanie Ragland, president of Dance Black.
Students who attended the extravaganza also appreciated the range of cultural groups represented.
"It was very diverse and so it was a good way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day," said sophomore Khalil Tribie.
Senior Lucia Stoisor, who also attended the Poetry Slam, another celebration event, was surprised at the diverse talent displayed by the groups. "It was unexpectedly pleasant - I didn't expect it to be so good," she said.
The Poetry Slam, which ended the day's events, showcased Saul William, the 1996 Nuyorican Poet's Cafe Grand Slam Champion and lead performer in the film "Slam."
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