Each year, during the month of January, the University of Pennsylvania and our surrounding communities come together to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commemoration reminds us of our interdependence and reaffirms our commitment to the betterment of our communities through civility and service. Opening our doors to embrace programming and visitors dedicated to realizing Dr. King's vision transforms the campus. Sharing our strengths and diversity as we commemorate Dr. King has an impact on the University that continues to be felt across campus and the Philadelphia community.

Join us for The University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Luther King Symposium on Social Change 2010

Sponsored by Penn School of Social Policy & Practice and Association of Black Social Workers and Queer Social Workers and Allies at Penn

This event will feature a screening of the award winning documentary about Bayard Rustin’s life, “Brother Outsider” which features archival footage of Rustin’s critical involvement in the black civil rights movement including his work in advising Dr. King on tactics of non-violence, and, most notably, his instrumental work as the central organizer for the March on Washington in 1963 where the “I have a dream” speech was delivered. From a historical standpoint, Rustin’s incalculable contribution was “buried” as he was open about his homosexuality. Consequently, his political enemies were able to neutralize him and he is little known outside circles of historians. A short clip of Wanda Sykes’ stand up comedy routine about “coming out black” will be viewed followed by a panel discussion.

Panelists include Heather Love, Associate Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Feeling Backward: Loss and the Politics of Queer History (Harvard, 2007). Jesse Salazar, current Special Assistant to Senator Bob Casey and former advisor on LGBT issues to the Barack Obama presidential campaign and, Penn Social Policy and Practice Assistant Professors, Damon Freeman and Toorjo Ghose.

Discussion will center on the controversy of advancing civil rights for LGBT Americans in the era of the Obama administration.

3 free Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available

"In a multicultural society no group can make it alone...Organized strength will only be effective when it is consolidated through constructive alliances with the majority group."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following the program, there will be a wine and cheese reception hosted by Penn’s Office of Alumni Relations and the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia.

Date: Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Penn Nursing School - Claire M. Fagin Hall Auditorium - 418 Curie Boulevard
RSVP: www.sp2.upenn.edu/mlk