Dream Week events honor King’s legacy

Luther College invites community members to attend Dream Week events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. from Jan. 20–24. Guest speakers, engaging discussions and community outreach events will honor King’s legacy and examine the issues of racism, bias, inequity and injustice in our society.

The events are free and open to the public.

Robert Clay, chief equity and inclusion officer and assistant to the president for community engagement at Luther, described the vision for Dream Week 2025 and its positive impact for community members, both on and off campus.

“King reminds us that ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,'” Clay said. “May we carry the hope that justice is not only a dream, but a collective responsibility. Together, we must honor King’s vision by recommitting ourselves to working collaboratively as a campus community for a world where equity, dignity and love guide our actions toward lasting change.”

Monday, Jan. 20: “The Continuing Fight for Multiracial Democracy,” Center for Faith and Life Main Hall, 7 p.m.

Madiba Dennie

Madiba Dennie, deputy editor and senior contributor at “Balls & Strikes” and author of “The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back,” will evaluate the current state of multiracial democracy. Her lecture will also discuss the role of law and legal interpretation in confronting or cementing white supremacy, outline how political movements can impact public understanding of the law, and examine how King’s legacy should shape the meaning of laws today. The lecture is supported by the Williams Endowment Fund for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture.

“Luther College is pleased to have Madiba Dennie on campus for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day lecture,” said Char Kunkel, head of the identity studies department at Luther. “Her book is a timely call to action during a harrowing political time. Madiba asks us to continue the reimagining of the very foundations of law so that oppressed people can ‘know freedom, equality and justice.’ Please join us in welcoming her to campus and begin the journey of inclusive constitutionalism.”

In Dennie’s previous role as a counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, she provided legal and policy analysis regarding a range of democracy issues including the census, the courts, and attempts to disempower communities of color.

Dennie has taught at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, and New York University School of Law in New York City. She earned her law degree from Columbia Law School and her undergraduate degree from Princeton University.

Tuesday, Jan. 21: “A Conversation on Racial Healing,” Mott-Borlaug Room, Dahl Centennial Union, 4 p.m. 

This event is held in recognition of the National Day of Racial Healing, which calls on colleges and universities across the country to engage in activities, events or strategies that promote healing and foster engagement around the issues of racism, bias, inequity and injustice in our society. Students, faculty, staff and community members will discuss how to create a more just and equitable world.

Wednesday, Jan. 22: Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving, Center for Faith and Life Lobby, 4 p.m. 

Through song, prayer and reflection, this special service will point us toward God’s liberating love and inspire us to recognize and work to repair the harm caused by racism and intolerance.

Thursday, Jan. 23: “Selma,” Olin 102, 5 p.m.

Join us to watch the historical drama film, “Selma” (2014). In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, King, portrayed by David Oyelowo and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “Selma” was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Friday, Jan. 24: “Brown Bag Discussion: Intersection of Faith and Justice,” Mott-Borlaug Room, Dahl Centennial Union, Noon

This brown bag discussion will explore the powerful connection between faith and justice, inspired by the legacy of King and his call for justice rooted in spiritual identity. Participants will reflect on how faith traditions inform justice, equity and community engagement commitments. The discussion will highlight how these values are lived out in personal lives, local communities and institutional practices.

In addition to these on-campus events, Luther community members will read books about service, leadership, justice, civility and diversity to elementary students on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Michelle Boike, assistant dean and director of Center for Engagement and Support, encouraged local residents to attend Dream Week events.

“Dream Week is a time for us to recommit ourselves to justice and inclusion each year. We invite you to engage with one another in conversation, prayer, and service throughout the week, and in the words of Dr. King, ask yourself, ‘What are you doing for others?'” Boike said.

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About the Williams Endowment Fund for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture

Luther College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Lecture began in 1987 to provide ongoing scholarly conversation about the struggle for human rights in the United States. It is supported by the Williams Endowment Fund, named in recognition of Lawrence and Queen Williams for their dedication and years of service to Luther. The endowment assures the continuation of the college’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture. Lawrence Williams planned and solicited funding for more than 20 of these lectures throughout his career as a Luther faculty member. His dedication to the lecture series reflected a commitment to understanding civil rights that went beyond academic study. Williams’ personal experiences with the civil rights movement and its protests allowed him to share a firsthand perspective with students, and his acquaintance with civil rights leaders brought extraordinary people to campus to share their lives and stories.