'The Music & The Movement' event connects and informs campus community

High School Drama Students pose with guest speaker, Bakari Kitwana, during the reception of his lecture "The Music & The Movement: From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Civil Rights To Hip-Hop and Beyond.""The Music & The Movement: From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Civil Rights to Hip-Hop and Beyond," hosted by the Division of Institutional Engagement in partnership with the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, facilitated engaging and informative discussions among students, faculty and staff within the campus community.

As the audience trickled in, spirits were lifted with African drumming, followed by words from Chancellor Cole, and a formal introduction by "Dr. MC," Associate Vice Chancellor B. Afeni McNeely Cobham. Guest Speaker Bakari Kitwana, Author, Activist and Educator, spoke on the significant contributions made by Dr. King, and the impact and influence of his work on younger generations.

The power of Dr. King's speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop," was discussed, and controversies and injustices surrounding the Greensboro Four, those displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the Jena 6 and Trayvon Martin were highlighted during the event, echoed through songs of popular artists.

Songs such as "Joshua Fought The Battle of Jericho," sung by Mahalia Jackson, "Git Up, Git Out!," by Hip Hop Legends Outkast and Goodie Mob, and "The Bigger Picture," by Lil Baby, briefly rang loud in the Ace Theater, bringing attention to empowering messages that uplifted people throughout decades of cultural and political movements. Kitwana also encouraged the audience to read, emphasizing the importance of self-education.

Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.

Martin Luther King Jr.

You can find out more about Bakari Kitwana by checking out his website:
www.bakarikitwana.com.

Contact: B. Bowens

Jan. 27, 2025

SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT