Loretta Lynch, Jeff Flake headline MLK events at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Loretta Lynch, who served as the nation’s 83rd attorney general, and former U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake were the keynote speakers at this year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Purdue University.

Lynch and Flake discussed King’s legacy and introduced Purdue’s programmatic theme for 2020, “Democracy, Civility, and Freedom of Expression,” during their moderated talk on Wednesday (Jan. 22) in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. The talk was moderated by Cheryl Cooky, University Senate chair and associate professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Lynch was the U.S.’ first female African American attorney general, having been appointed by former President Barack Obama, and serving from 2015-2017. She also twice served as head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, first appointed by President Bill Clinton and later by Obama.

Flake, who served both in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, is author of the New York Times best-seller, “Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle.”

 “We are incredibly excited to focus our semester-long efforts on promoting and exploring what it means to live and behave civilly in our democracy,” said John Gates, vice provost for diversity and inclusion. “It’s never been more important that we try to listen to and understand one another and to offer respect to those who may have differing opinions from us. That’s what our democracy was built on.”

 “Democracy, Civility, and Freedom of Expression” is the theme for 2020 and is sponsored by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Throughout the spring semester, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are invited to engage in conversations about and consider the importance of each element of the theme. Activities and events will include interactive workshops, performances, high-impact public speakers and innovative conversational gatherings.

Other events scheduled under the same theme of Democracy, Civility, and Freedom of Expression are:

• Various dates January-April: Democracy, Civility, and Freedom of Expression gatherings: Throughout the spring semester, the Division of Diversity and Inclusion invites all interested students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to gather for conversational groups engaging in the theme. Prospective participants may join by providing their availability for the free events, which will be repeated throughout the semester. To register, click here.
• Feb. 19: "Religion, Polarization, and the Public Space" 6-8 p.m. in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. This event is free, but general admission tickets will be required and will be available from the Purdue box offices at a later date. This panel will discuss the role of religion in the pursuit of democracy, civility and the freedom of expression and the challenges posed by increasing polarization in public discourse as it relates to religious identity and expression. A religiously diverse panel of well-known leaders will explore this topic and others via conversation and contemplation. Panelists include Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and president of the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute; Sarah Hurwitz, who served as a speechwriter to former first lady Michelle Obama and recently wrote “Here All Along: A Reintroduction to Judaism” about her rediscovery of Judaism; Ron Reagan, who identifies as an atheist, the son of the late President Ronald Reagan and former radio host and commentator; Reza Aslan, an Iranian-American scholar of religious studies, writer and television host; and Amy Goodman, a host and executive producer of “Democracy Now!,” who will serve as the moderator.
• March 10: Joint performance by the Morehouse and Purdue glee clubs. 7:30-9 p.m. in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. This event is free, but general admission tickets will be required and will be available from the Purdue box offices at a later date.
• March 31: "The Role of the Media in Democracy Now." 6-8 p.m. in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. This event is free, but general admission tickets will be required and will be available from the Purdue box offices at a later date. Media professionals from multiple news agencies will convene for a timely and insightful conversation about the ever-changing landscape of the role of media in our democracy. Panelists include Mara Liasson, national political correspondent for National Public Radio; Juan Williams, political analyst at Fox News and award-winning columnist and author; and Soledad O’Brien, broadcast journalist and executive producer.
• April 8: Purdue in One Room. 6-8 p.m. in Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms. This event is free, but general admission tickets will be required and will be available from the Purdue box offices at a later date. Near the culmination of the semester, the community will gather for “Purdue in One Room,” a celebration of constructive dialogue.

For more information visit, www.purdue.edu/diversity-inclusion/events.

Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-496-2571, oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Sources: John Gates, jfgates@purdue.edu

Kate Walker, 765-494-9925, katewalker@purdue.edu