Guinier, Film Showing Highlight Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

An advanced screening of a documentary film on the 1998 murder of a black man in Jasper, Texas, and a keynote speech by Harvard Law School professor Lani Guinier will highlight Duke's 14th annual celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy.

The Jan. 13-25 events, which are free and open to the public, are dedicated to remembering and answering King's call to collective action, said Willie James Jennings, senior associate dean for academic programs at Duke Divinity School and chairman of the university's 2003 King commemoration committee.

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s demand for a nonviolent revolution against racism, poverty, militarism and injustice worldwide helped galvanize an invigorated movement toward social justice," Jennings said. "And it continues to inspire us today."

The title of this year's tribute to King's memory -- "In the Footsteps" -- reflects that mission, he said.

"In this year's commemoration, we pause to honor and study the preceding 'strides towards freedom' of King and other civil rights activists," Jennings said. "And, as heirs to King's tradition of activism living in turbulent times, we also stop to consider the necessary pathways for future action in pursuit of justice and peace."

Events scheduled for the two-week celebration include a lecture on racial health disparities, cultural performances, a talk by author Dorothy Allison and student panel discussions on war, scholarship and globalization.

"Two Towns of Jasper," to be shown at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Richard White Auditorium on East Campus, looks at the town of Jasper, Texas, after James Byrd Jr. was chained to a pickup truck and dragged to his death by three white men.

The film, produced in association with the Independent Television Service with funds provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, "is not so much about the murder of James Byrd Jr. as it is about two perspectives on the murder," according to Whitney Dow, who directed the film along with Marco Williams. "The facts, after all, weren't in doubt. It's a question of how you explain those facts."

The two directors spoke with 30 Jasper residents. Dow, who is white, interviewed 15 white residents; Williams, who is black, spoke with 15 black residents. The 240 hours of discussion revealed a legacy of mutual distrust and widely divergent views on local race relations.

"Listening to the black and white communities of Jasper talk about the crime turned out to be a pretty startling revelation of the depth of the division that exists between black and white Americans," Dow said.

Dow and Williams will discuss their film after it is shown. A community discussion of the film will also be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture, located in the West Union Building on Duke's West Campus.

The film is about to get a national audience. A preview of the film and interviews with Dow and Williams are scheduled for ABC News "Nightline" on Jan. 21. "Two Towns" will have its broadcast premiere at 9 p.m. Jan. 22 on PBS. ABC News anchor Ted Koppel will host "America in Black and White: Jasper, Texas," a live town meeting on race, to be broadcast on PBS at 9 p.m. Jan. 23. And "Nightline" will broadcast one hour of that meeting beginning at 11:35 p.m. that evening.

Guinier, whose keynote address will be delivered at 4 p.m. Jan. 19 in Duke Chapel, first came to public attention in 1993 when former President Bill Clinton nominated her to be the first black woman to head the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Her nomination was later withdrawn after controversy arose over her views on democracy and voting.

In 1998, Guinier became the first black woman appointed to a tenured professorship at Harvard Law School. She is the author of several books, including Lift Every Voice, The Miner's Canary and Becoming Gentlemen: Women, Law School and Institutional Change.

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The following events, scheduled Jan. 13-25, are part of the 2003 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at Duke. All events are free and open to the public (unless otherwise noted).

Monday, January 13

12:15 p.m. Discussion: Divinity School professor William Turner will speak on King's life as a minister. Sponsored by Religious Life Staff. (In the Duke Chapel Basement Lounge)

Thursday, January 16

4 - 6 p.m. Workshop: History professor Charles Payne discusses strategies for presenting King in the context of the broader civil rights movement, including a discussion of other models of leadership. This workshop, titled "Framing Dr. King," will be appropriate for both elementary and secondary grades. (At E.K. Powe Elementary, 913 9th St., Durham)

Friday, January 17

Noon. Candlelight Vigil Service: Messages will be offered by members of the Duke administration and campus religious community. A "Service of Lights" will be held at the end of the vigil, which is for all Duke employees, faculty and students. (In Duke Chapel)

7 - 9:15 p.m. Film Screening and Discussion: Advanced screening of "Two Towns of Jasper," followed by a discussion with the filmmakers. (In the Richard White Auditorium, East Campus)

8 p.m. Employee Performance: "The Country Church," an original musical, will feature medical center employees. (In Page Auditorium)

Saturday, January 18

All day. Community Service Event: Students will bag sweet potatoes in all-day "Yam Jam" for donation.  (In "Krzyzewskiville," adjacent to Cameron Indoor Stadium)

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Community Discussion: Facilitated discussion based on segments shown from "Two Towns of Jasper" documentary. (In the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture, West Union)

Sunday, January 19

11 a.m. Duke Chapel Service: Sermon by the Rev. Michael Walrond from Duke Black Campus Ministries. (In Duke Chapel)

4 - 5 p.m. 14th Annual Service of Celebration of Commemoration: Harvard Law School professor Lani Guinier will be the keynote speaker. (In Duke Chapel) 6 p.m. Reception and Book Signing: Professor Lani Guinier will sign books. (In Von Canon Hall, Bryan Center) Monday, January 20 Morning. Community Service Project: Duke Student Government representatives will work with Durham school children. (Location to be determined) 10 a.m. Panel Discussion: Undergraduate students will discuss "Martin Luther King Jr.: Poverty and Labor Issues," sponsored by the Student Employee Relations Coalition and the Duke NAACP chapter. (In Von Canon Hall, Bryan Center) 11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion: Undergraduate students will discuss "Globalization and War." (In Von Canon Hall, Bryan Center) 1 p.m. Panel Discussion: Graduate students will discuss "Scholarship and Activism in a Time of War." (Room 139, Social Sciences Building) 3:30 p.m. Cultural Extravaganza: Performances and presentations by student cultural groups. (In Page Auditorium) 8 p.m. Poetry Slam: Performance by poet Saul Williams, the 1996 Grand Slam Champion at the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe and writer and lead performer in the film "Slam." (In Page Auditorium) Tuesday, January 21 Noon - 1 p.m. Instrumental Music: featuring Duke University Medical Center employees (Duke North Cafeteria) 1 p.m. Worship Service: (At Durham Regional Hospital) Wednesday, January 22 Noon - 1 p.m. Instrumental Music: featuring Duke University Medical Center employees. (Duke North Cafeteria) 4 - 6 p.m. Panel Discussion: "Conversation on Health Disparities," featuring Dr. Rodney Hood, immediate past president of the National Medical Association; Emmanuel Ngui, N.C. Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities; and the Rev. Carrie Bolton, pastor of Alston Chapel Church in Pittsboro, social worker and founder of Mary Hill Child Care Center. (Duke North, room 2002). Thursday, January 23 7:30 a.m. Medical Center Prayer Breakfast: (Room 2001, Duke Hospital North) 7 p.m. Lecture: Author Dorothy Allison will discuss "The Dream of Justice," in a lecture sponsored by Duke's Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Life. (In the Richard White Auditorium, East Campus) Friday, January 24 4 p.m. Vigil: (At Durham Regional Hospital)

8 p.m. Concert: The Blind Boys of Alabama will play spiritual and gospel music, joined by blues-harpist Charlie Musselwhite. Tickets -- $22 general admission, $12 students -- available at University Box Office, 684-4444 or tickets.duke.edu. (Baldwin Auditorium, East Campus) Saturday, January 25 9:30a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Reading and Literary Discussion: African and African-American Studies professor Wahneema Lubiano will discuss with teachers writer Toni Morrison and her book "Beloved." Lunch provided. (At the John Hope Franklin Center, Room 240, 2204 Erwin Road)