Ithaca College

The Center of IDEAS is excited to invite the Ithaca community to join our annual MLK Celebration Week, engaging in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s text, vision, and legacy. *Due to weather and travel, we have rescheduled our keynote events.* Our keynote events will now be held on Tuesday, January 22, starting at 4pm.

For this years' celebration, the overarching theme, "Every Step Toward the Goal of Justice" is taken from a larger quote in Dr. King's book, Stride Toward Freedom. In this book, Dr. King writes,

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.

We ask our whole community to join us for a full week of exploring Dr. King's work through the following events  below.

***Rescheduled Keynote Events - Tuesday, January 22***

“Civil Rights Tour Presentation”
Presentation by the college’s first-year MLK Scholars on their fall break travel to the South to visit important sites in the Civil Rights movement.

4 p.m., Emerson Suites, Campus Center

“Ablazing Grace: Space, Time and Justice”
Keynote address by artist and activist John Sims, combining selected readings from his forthcoming memoir on the “Recoloration Proclamation” project with related short films to present a dynamic journey of bearing witness, creative resistance and collective healing.

5 p.m., Emerson Suites, Campus Center

Tuesday, January 22

“Geometry of Justice: From MathArt to FlagArt”
Multimedia presentation by artist and activist John Sims on two large social system art projects that examine and arbitrate the language and culture of oppositional symbols and identities.
12 p.m., Klingenstein Lounge, Campus Center

“Was Dr. King an Ally?”
Presentation by Sean Eversley Bradwell, director of the Ithaca College Center for IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Social Change).

12 p.m., Clark Lounge, Campus Center

“‘AfroDixieRemixes’: The Ithaca Responses”
Presentation by artist and activist John Sims of various tracks from his music project “AfroDixieRemixes,” along with the responses to it from members of the Ithaca College community. The event will also include a historical introduction of the song “Dixie” and additional music videos.

6 p.m., Textor 102

Wednesday, January 23

“Social Media, Social Justice and Media Literacy: Sports and Action”
Presentation by Cyndy Scheibe, professor of psychology and executive director of the Project Look Sharp media literacy program, examining how sports interacts with ideals of social justice in media. Attendees will engage with both traditional media outlets and social media.
7 p.m., Emerson Suites, Campus Center

Thursday, January 24

“Unpacking Our Own Privilege”
Through the lens of Martin Luther King Jr.’s allyship, peer educators in the Ithaca College Center for IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Social Change) will lead a discussion on accountability to become better partners for social justice work.

12 p.m., Klingenstein Lounge, Campus Center

“Stepping into Justice: Spirituality and Activism”

Building on Dr. King’s legacy of faith-inspired activism panelists will explore spirituality, activism and social justice with community members who are on the frontlines of this work. The panel discussion will be moderated by Hierald Osorto, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and panelist will include:

• Yasin Ahmed, Muslim Chaplain - Cornell University
• Rabbi Tziona Szajman, Jewish Chaplain and High Holidays Rabbi – Hillel at Ithaca College
• Laurie Konwinski, Deputy Director - Catholic Charities, Tompkins/Tioga
• Rev. Megan Castellan, Rector – St. John’s Episcopal Church

12 p.m., Clark Lounge

Interfaith Community Dinner
An evening of food and fellowship with members of the Lansing Community and Interfaith Communities of Greater Ithaca. Vegetarian, kosher and halal options will be available (Dinner is provided to students free of cost.)

5:30 p.m., Muller Chapel

Friday, January 25 

Songs of Resistance 

Come through Muller Chapel sit, meditate and listen to protest songs from the civil rights movement looping throughout the day in the Gathering Hall.

8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Muller Chapel

The People's Movement (*new day)

Drop by for a guided journey though politically current and thought provoking material. One space will feature multimedia learning and interactions, while the other is intended to provide participants with an opportunity to practice mindful contemplation. 

11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Klingenstein & Clark Lounges

MLK Shabbat Service

People of all faiths and no faith are heartily invited to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath with a special musical service honoring the legacy of Dr. King.  Martin Luther King, Jr., week has become a time to honor and recommit to the values at the core of Dr. King's life and legacy, and connect them to Jewish values: courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service to others.

6 p.m. service and 7 p.m. dinner, Muller Chapel

MLK Concert
Annual concert featuring student and faculty soloists and ensembles from the School of Music, along with cast members of Ithaca College Theatre production of “Ragtime,” the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers and guest artist Samantha McElhaney John, director of theatre studies at Music Academy of Garden City.

7:30 p.m., Ford Hall, Whalen Center

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Geselle Dominguez at gdominguez@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-7777. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.