Beating the drum of liberty
Carl Kurek
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: News
PUC held its 19th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day this past week. The celebration included a convocation held Jan. 27 in Alumni Hall and an exhibit on display Jan. 25-29 in SUL.
The exhibit, entitled "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit," was created by Soka Gakkai International. SGI is a worldwide Buddhist association that, according to their website, "promotes peace, culture and education through personal change and social contribution."
"This is a celebration that the campus engages in every year," said PUC Chancellor Howard Cohen, "It's an important part of our commitment to cultural diversity here at PUC."
The celebration Wednesday afternoon featured a performance of King's address "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence" by Corey Graddick. King delivered this address April 4, 1967 at a meeting of clergy in New York City, exactly one year before his assassination.
Coleen Martin Williams and a group of women in attendance belonged to the same Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. as Toni W. Simpson who was the choreographer, producer and director of the events. Williams presented a poem she wrote as part of the 'African Drum Beats' opening performance.
"It's always a pleasure to participate in a celebration of Martin Luther King's life. He was a force for justice and peace for everyone. He was the ideal advocate," Williams said.
'African Drum Beats' was not only the theme of the opening act, but also a theme throughout the entire presentation. The Seneke Ensemble, a group that teaches and performs traditional forms of West African music, performed the rhythmic drumming.
The exhibit, entitled "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit," was created by Soka Gakkai International. SGI is a worldwide Buddhist association that, according to their website, "promotes peace, culture and education through personal change and social contribution."
"This is a celebration that the campus engages in every year," said PUC Chancellor Howard Cohen, "It's an important part of our commitment to cultural diversity here at PUC."
The celebration Wednesday afternoon featured a performance of King's address "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence" by Corey Graddick. King delivered this address April 4, 1967 at a meeting of clergy in New York City, exactly one year before his assassination.
Coleen Martin Williams and a group of women in attendance belonged to the same Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. as Toni W. Simpson who was the choreographer, producer and director of the events. Williams presented a poem she wrote as part of the 'African Drum Beats' opening performance.
"It's always a pleasure to participate in a celebration of Martin Luther King's life. He was a force for justice and peace for everyone. He was the ideal advocate," Williams said.
'African Drum Beats' was not only the theme of the opening act, but also a theme throughout the entire presentation. The Seneke Ensemble, a group that teaches and performs traditional forms of West African music, performed the rhythmic drumming.
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