What: “The Continuing Quest for Social Justice – 40 Years Later” Community Discussion
When: April 4, 2008 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Ogden Union Station Building, Wattis-Dumke Room, 2501 Wall Avenue
Event Contact: Forrest Crawford at 801-626-7420 or Nici Maruri at 801-359-9670
Presented By: Utah Humanities Council and the Weber State University Office of Diversity
The Utah Humanities Council and the Weber State University Office of Diversity are sponsoring a free community discussion, “The Continuing Quest for Social Justice – 40 Years Later,” in observance of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. A guest panel will lead a discussion of the challenges involved when citizens must balance regard for the rule of law—even when they consider a law unjust—with personal responsibility and citizenship. The discussion will be held on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s untimely and tragic death. Guest panelists will have read two pieces of literature in advance of the community discussion: “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. King and “The Crito” by Plato. Guest panelists will frame the discussion, serving as a catalyst to stimulate discussion within the larger group. Weber State University Professor of Teacher Education and UHC board member Dr. Forrest Crawford will serve as moderator.
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” was written by Dr. King on April 16, 1963, and is addressed to his fellow clergy, who criticized him for his “unwise and untimely” activities in their city. In the letter, Dr. King discusses how to determine whether a law is just or unjust, suggests a non-violent campaign, and writes the now-famous statement “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
In contrast, “The Crito” is an excerpt from Plato’s dialogue chronicling the final days of Socrates’ life. Socrates is in prison awaiting execution, having been sentenced to death by the citizens of Athens. His friends, among them, Crito, have come to urge Socrates to escape. Socrates engages Crito in a discussion about a citizen’s responsibility to obey the laws of the state.
For more information on this community dialogue, please contact the Utah Humanities Council at 801-359-9670 or visit their website at www.utahhumanities.org.
Related Documents:
Letter from a Birmingham Jail- Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Crito |
