Yale Bulletin and Calendar

January 17, 2003|Volume 31, Number 15|Two-Week Issue

Peabody celebrating MLK Day with
family activities, music, free admission

Educational activities and entertainment for people of all ages and backgrounds will mark the Peabody Museum of Natural History's annual festival honoring Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK).

Titled "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy of Environmental & Social Justice," the event will cover two days this year: Sunday and Monday, Jan. 19 and 20. (For other Yale MLK Day events, see story.)

The festival celebrates the progress that has been achieved, and that continues to be made, regarding social and environmental justice. King championed the right for every individual to have access to educational opportunities, clean air and safe housing; so too, members of the environmental justice movement hold that all members of society have the right to clean air, water and soil, and work to address the inequities that can result from human settlement, the siting of industrial facilities and industrial waste.

Because there is an inequitable distrubtion of environmental risks and enforcement of environmental law in poor communities and communities of color, environmental justice is often viewed as a social problem. In keeping with this theme, there will be interactive stations focusing on environmental and social justice issues throughout the Peabody during the two-day festival.

Spoken word artist Michael Franti, leader of the San Francisco-based band Spearhead, will present his own unique perspective on these issues during the annual Arnold J. Alderman Memorial Lecture at 2 p.m. on Sunday. (See Visiting on Campus.)

Also on Sunday, there will be an MLK Community Mass Choir's Social Justice Sing-Out. On Monday, there will be a Drum Circle for Peace, a Community Poetry Open Mic, breakdancing and a poetry slam hosted by Ngoma. On both days of the festival, there will be storytelling, world stage performances ranging from Afro-Caribbean dance to jazz and a Hip Hop Café featuring music, dancing and snacks.

Support for the festival comes from Citizens Bank, Bayer, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the New Haven Public Schools and Yale's Office of New Haven and State Affairs. Michael Franti's appearance is made possible through support from the Children of Arnold J. Alderman.

The Peabody Museum is open noon-5 p.m. on Sunday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday. Admission to the museum and the festival events is free both days. Free shuttle bus service will be offered between the Peabody Museum and various stops around New Haven; all Yale parking lots will be open to the public free of charge both days. For complete information on events and times, pick up a schedule at the Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave., or visit its website at www.peabody.yale.edu/events/mlk. Call the Peabody's InfoTape at (203) 432-5050 for information including bus routes and times.

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Campus Notes