Free Events Open to All
Come to campus for a weeklong series of events recognizing the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Now in its 23rd year, the annual celebration begins Jan. 16, 2018.
United by the theme “50 Years Later: Dreams vs. Reality,” speakers and performers will explore America today, 50 years after the assassination of the civil rights leader.
Highline’s Martin Luther King Jr. Week is sponsored by the college’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, Center for Leadership and Service and Learning and Teaching Center.
Questions?
Doris Martinez: (206) 592-4319, dmartinez@highline.edu
Office of Multicultural Affairs: (206) 592-3296, mca@highline.edu
Event Schedule
All events are free and open to the public and will be held on the college’s main campus. Find full event descriptions on the Multicultural Affairs webpage.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018
10–11:30 a.m.
Keynote address by Aaron Reader, dean of students at Renton Technical College: “MLK 50 Years Later: Unedited”
Building 7
1:30–3 p.m.
Lecture by Cecile Hansen, chair of the Duwamish Tribe: “The Sacred Fight for Justice of the Duwamish Tribe”
Building 7
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Lecture by PK Thompson, theologian: “‘The Woke King’: Re-Imaging Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ‘Beloved Community’ in a Donald Trump America”
Building 8, Mt. Constance Room
1:30–3 p.m.
Lecture by Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez, faculty at Highline College: “Immigration and the American State: Considering Our Past, Present and Future”
Building 8, Mt. Constance Room
6–7:30 p.m.
Performance by Living Voices, a storytelling group that brings life to history: “The Right to Dream”
Building 7
Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018
1:30–3 p.m.
Lecture by Dr. Shon Meckfessel, faculty at Highline College: “When ‘Free Speech’ Is Actually Its Opposite: The First Amendment, Hate Speech and the Privilege of Platforms”
Building 8, Mt. Constance Room
Friday, Jan. 19, 2018
10–11:30 a.m.
Lecture by Robert Britten, faculty at Pierce College: “King and the Role of Capitalism, Militarism and Racism in Achieving Peace”
Building 7
2–4 p.m.
Workshop facilitated by Mozart Guerrier, executive director of 21 Progress: “We Lead: We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For”
Building 8, Mt. Constance Room
King’s Legacy on Campus
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream for a just and equitable society resonates deeply at Highline. His dream is nurtured throughout the year, not simply during a single week in January.
With more than 70 percent students of color, Highline is the most diverse higher education institution in the state. The college’s diversity efforts extend beyond a single program or initiative. Diversity is a core value, a source of pride and a daily call to action.
During a June 2016 talk to Highline faculty and staff, President Jack Bermingham (2006–2017) shared his year’s top wish, which spoke directly about King and revealed his great joy in the campus culture cultivated here:
[My dream is] that today, Martin Luther King Jr. could come back to life and could spend just a few hours at Highline wandering among students, staff and faculty, and chatting with students, and see that on most days, the words of those who make up our student body reflect hope, inspiration, determination, respect and on our very best days, love. And perhaps he could know that many keep his dream alive and remain inspired by it.
During Bermingham’s tenure, Highline’s commitment to increasing diversity and educational and social justice equity has earned the college regional and national recognition. Here is a sample of recent awards:
- 2016 winner of the Equity Award for the Pacific Region from the Association of Community College Trustees
- 2014 winner of the Award of Excellence for Advancing Diversity from the American Association of Community Colleges
- Four-time winner of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine