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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 1995)
Professor suggests holiday more than three-day weekend Samantha Martin Itt ;’n! Qnagan /Ja»-v i /«*»**) Professor Kdwin Coleman, who taat-he* Engliah and Folklore nl the University, can l»e thought of somewhat as a walking, talking chapter of Ameri can history Coleman grew up in what he refers to as "good time* and Iwd times,” when |irn Crow laws were in effect and he had witnessed first-hand the act* of violence that most people have only read about. While living in San Franc isco in the J'gifts. Cob* man participative! in civil rights man lies He malls one march protesting the (at k of open housing and |nh tippurtimilH s (nr bl.e » We were marching near San Franc.isco State (University),*' Coleman said I remember being sprayed with fire extinguishers I remember |hh> plu throwing foots, urine, and blood from animals at us ” Coleman met Martin I.other kim: |r in !•«>! Hw flatmate at the time* was the west coast president of CORK, the Congress of Racial Kqunltty a national civil rights organisation Ring was in San I'ram isi o for a minor march," Coleman said "He was corning to our flat for « quic k meeting He was a liille late, but the minute we heard him coming up the* stairs, the room liet a in B very quiet "Kveryone spoke as if in church.“ Coleman said 'When king i ame in. you knew you were in the present e of somebody Kec ailing the meeting, (oleuian said, "Wii delib erately didn’t disc uss anything of importance We knew there was a mole in our group, so bee ,mxe of that risk vse never disc vismkI anything in depth in our flat. Our phone was tapjx'd for a long time, and we knew we wen* luting watt.had by the I HI When th*» Republican National Convention nn*( In San Francisco in 1984. Coleman wm working at n gopher for AIK' Protester* Were pic kitting the Republicans' lack of effort toward fighting for c iv il rights "The street* were lined with the SFT’D on one side and the San Mateo County sheriff's depart went on the other side," Coleman said "A 12 year old girl had wandered across the street The sher iff grabbed her by the hands and someone else grabbed her by the feet They actually threw this girl across the street," Coleman said C.oieman had (seen at the University for a little over a year when king was killed A doctorate stu dent at the tune, lie was sitting in a seminar when someone entered the room and announced that king hod lieen killed "l! was a feeling of total disbelief," Coleman said "People were just stunned It was the same feeling I had as when President Kennedy was killed ' The day after king's death, Coleman and his w ife hat) gone driving out to Philomath We stopped at a roadside cafe for a bite to eat." Coleman said "When 1 walked in. everyone stopped talking It got real quiet The silence was broken by someone saying. We should've shot that nigger a long time ago Indore this ' This was for my benefit." Coleman does feel thof part of the reason why the holiday vs as voted to !*• observed w as Ikouiw mam people just wanted another three day weekend The University has observed the holiday since 1990. when the Senate voted that the holiday was to be i elebrated on the third Monday every Janu ary ■ MLK CALENDAR Tuesday, Jan. 17 4: JO • ft p.m "l,ot Freedom King: Singing for Freedom” con < ori Sing with University music instructor John (itinar and th« University Gospel Fnsomhlo Frw Hoall Mail. Wil K 18th Ave 8 p m, — "Fight now works for Cross-Cultural Onhwstrs " Pacif ic Kim (.inmelon concert features Instruments of the Balinese Admission: .$4 general, $2 for stu dents and seniors lienll Hall. U<>1 K. 18th Ave Wednesday, Jan. 18 2 p.m. — “Images of Family Bridges to Undorstanding" work shop sponsored by tin* la'shian. Gay and Bisexual Alliant e Room I11A I rh Memorial l uion Thursday, Jan. lit 1 2 11m "African-Am«ri i an Cultural Strategies for the 21st Century" lecture tiy Dennis Greene, visiting professor of law and founding mom tier of tho musical group .Sha-NaNa lienll Hall. <181 F lHth Avi* 4 ■ 7 ji m "Building Bridge* Across Communities" panel dis cussion with music, and food Tho event is sponsored hv the Black Student Union and will t celebrate the bridges that have been built licit WHOM the Universe ty. local civic leaders and African-American students Fountain Court. FMI' Free* For more information call Maafo Cooper-Henry. 348 4,179 r> H p.m Open Mike pub lu forum and diw ussion follow ing the v ittwing of a "Siar I rak" episode tha! explore* the racial hatred of a s|**< ic-s of half-white, half-hint k people Sponsored by I he Univertily Rate Task Foroi Room to b« announced. Erb Memorial Unton f riday, (an. 20 l 2 p.m — "Cross-Cultural Relations in American Popular Musit panel discussion and dia logue Free Panelists include Ed Coleman, professor of English Folklore: Stephen Valdez, pro fessor of musit and music his tory. Carl Woideck, music instructor at Lane Community College Hen Under Room. KMt' Freshman Interest Groups LOOKING FOR A WAV TO GET INVOLVED AND HELP OTHERS? THE FRESHMAN INTEREST GROUP PROGRAM IS NOW LOOKING FOR STUDENTS TO BECOME FIG LEADERS FOR THE 1995 FALL TERM • 11 dp students adjust to college life • Refine your leadership and organizational skills • Meet other highly motivated students • Earn 2 upper-division credits and a cash award • Spring and Fall term commitment APPLY NOW TO BE A FRESHMAN INTEREST GROUP LEADER Applications are available in 164 Oregon Hall. Application deadline January 24, 1995. For more information call 346-1079 or 346-3211. . , l(h ( rtis( in On iron f)aihj t‘m< raid (lassifuds! Call 346-4343! mi*if »i TOMt OKAfm*»0 Bishop E. Lynn Brown delivered the keynote address for the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Hull Center Monday Hult Center celebrates with music, memories Friederlch von Carp 0*$$/Qn Oawy t'frwr&kt Mush and C Christ ianity framed tin* message of rac ial harmony pervading Monday’s Martin l.uther King Jr com memorative program at the Hull (.enter Bishop E I.ynn Brown, a prelate in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, delivered the keynote address Brown related expe rtem.es of working with King "Because of Martin Luther King. 1 could allow them to turn the IfireJ hose on me. to turn the dogs on me. to beat roe," he said. "Dr. King believed in a faith that allowed him ter stand in the darkness and to wait for the light "He believed in a Judeo Christian religion. He believed in a God who could bring people together," Brown intoned “Dr King had the ability to organize love There wouldn't he so many drive by shootings if we had that kind of love today." Brown criticized recent national cvents lamenting an “increase in cynicism that convinced 71)% of people nm to vote on Nov. H "What you have is 21% of the people running the coun try." Brown lamented. “You have ultra-conservatives who will fight and kill people over abortion tiefore the baby readi es its fullness. But once the baby is born, they don’t care about it.” Reverend Atlidees N Beck ham. co-chair of the Martin Luther King (Celebration Com mittee. was the master of cer emonies ffes kham is pastor of the St. Mark CME Church in West Eugene Performances by the Martin Luther King C Choir brought the crowd to its feet. The choir, under the direction of Uni versity music professor John Gainer, includes University students and other vocalists Bobby Green Jr., played drums for the Inspirational Sunshine Band that accom panied the choir Green and other band members belong to the Bethel Temple church. "We should not just cele brate Martin Luther King annually, but to celebrate him every day. Like Black Histo ry Month, we should !>e aware of this every day." he said Wo, omen in ‘Transition (Discussion Cj roup Has your return to school created a strain in your relationships? Arc you having difficulty balancing all ol your commit mews? l\> you want the opportunity to meet oilier women in a ■L similar situation7 Thai join our group beginning January 25, 1995 and meeting every Wednesday from 1 30-3 30 pm f1«se call 346-4095 to preregtster and talk with one of our group leaders J:rce child cart provided!1 Prcregistration required To arrange (or child cart call Bonnie at 346-4095 by 1/19/95 For disability aceommotiatum* _ to rrvjurM arcommodalKra fex disabilturs ai the event. plea* toraati IVimwr ai the Women* c rran. Mp •40‘M, ptkx to Wednesday t/|8