One-man show celebrating the works of Martin Luther King Jr. set for Feb. 11

Nationally acclaimed actor and activist Jim Lucas will appear at Purdue in a one-man show featuring the works of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Photo provided) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A nationally acclaimed one-man show featuring the works of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will take the stage at Purdue University during Black History Month.

“Yours for the Cause of Peace and Brotherhood: A Reading of ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail,’” featuring Jim Lucas, will take place at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be done online.

Lucas, who has studied King’s works and teachings, is an advocate of King’s philosophy of nonviolent civil action to effect social change. Like King, Lucas, who is from Lake Providence, Louisiana, participated in local protests and demonstrations to achieve school integration in his hometown.

“This presentation aligns well with Purdue’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion’s yearlong theme of ‘Democracy, Civility, and Freedom of Expression,’” said Carol Ben-Davies, director of diversity and inclusion for Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences. “Jim Lucas has traveled the country portraying Dr. King, and we are fortunate to be able to bring him to Purdue. We hope that by actually hearing Dr. King’s powerful examples of democracy, civility and freedom of expression outlined in his ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail,’ the audience will be inspired to participate in the facilitated discussion that follows. The facilitated discussion will address issues of social justice and equity and provide participants with an excellent opportunity to model and practice civil discourse.”

The program is sponsored by Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences and the College of Agriculture, Civic Engagement & Leadership Development office, and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion.

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

Sources: Denise Buhrmester, 765-496-3663, dmbuhrmester@purdue.edu, @PurdueHHS

Carol Ben-Davies, 765-494-8215, cbd@purdue.edu, @PurdueHHS

Note to journalists: Interviews with Jim Lucas prior to the event are available. Please contact Matthew Oates, Purdue News Service, at oatesw@purdue.edu.