By Shawn Williams – Dallas South News Editor
On Monday January 18th, The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture will present its 5th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium at the Winspear Opera House. The theme of the event is “I Have A Dream: The Promissory Note.” The keynote speaker will be Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, author of sixteen books, including April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Dr. Larry Allums, Director of The Dallas Institute, says the program aims to examine “the depth and breadth of Rev. King’s achievement and legacy each year from a different perspective.” The program title references a portion of Dr. King’s I Have a Dream” speech (which was actually titled Normalcy No More) where he said “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.”
Winspear Opera House
Yours truly has been asked to participate in a discussion with Dr. Dyson (someone get me a thesaurus) facilitated by Dr. Allums, which will follow Dr. Dyson’s address. Dr. Allums says he wants the symposium to explore “what does the election of President Barack Obama signify in terms of Rev. King’s lifelong struggle to realize equality for all people in America?” I’m sure we’ll go much deeper than that.
The MLK Symposium is open to the public, but attendance is by reservation only. Admission is $20; admission for teachers and students is $10. Group rate for 10 or more is $15 per ticket. To register, call the Winspear box office at (214) 880-0202 or go to www.attpac.org. For more information, call (214) 871-2440 or visit www.dallasinstitute.org.
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