KING EVENTS TO BEGIN TODAY

Reminding people of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s achievements and to be cognizant of the destructive influence of racial prejudice are the primary goals of a series of upcoming events honoring the civil rights leader, organizers say.

Activities at Southeast Missouri State University in remembrance of King begin today and continue through Jan. 25.

"It is an important time for us to reflect on the importance of Martin Luther King as a leader in our country, the changes wrought during the movement and where we need to go still. There are lot of questions we still need to ask ourselves," said Dr. Sueann Strom, vice president for student affairs at the university.

The 11th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast will kick off activities this morning. Mark L. Stansbury, interim president of Shelby State Community College in Memphis, Tenn., will be the featured speaker at the event.

Due to a change in the university's schedule, spring semester classes will not resume until Tuesday. Despite the fact that many students will not be back on campus, organizers said the community wanted them to go ahead with the event on the national holiday which bears King's name.

Much effort was put into informing students of the event prior to the semester break, since they are the primary target of King activities. "We hope a lot of students attend," Strom said. "That is really our intent."

Strom said over 300 tickets had been sold for the breakfast.

That number is significantly lower than for last year's breakfast, which drew over 800 people. However, that attendance was inflated by the appearance of speaker Anita Hill, who drew national attention during the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

"Sometimes when you book someone with a big name it attracts people simply because of the name," Strom said.

Organizers had a different focus this year in choosing Stansbury to speak. Stansbury, a native of Memphis, Tenn., has been involved with numerous organizations, including the Memphis Race Relations and Diversity Institute Executive Council, the NAACP and the United Negro College Fund.

He is a recipient of numerous awards and citations, including the Award of Merit, the highest honor given to a citizen of Memphis.

"I think he will bring a perspective that some of our other speakers haven't done -- focus on Martin Luther King and the changes he helped bring about for our country," Strom said.

A photographic exhibition of King's life will be on display beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The exhibition from the Black Archives of MidAmerica in Kansas City will be on display through Jan. 25 in the University Center Program Lounge.

On Jan. 23, guest lecturer Jane Elliott will conduct a sensitizing exercise on discrimination at the University Center Ballroom. The program begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the University Center for $5 for the general public. Students, faculty and staff of Southeast are admitted free.

Elliott adapted the "Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes" discrimination exercise. In the exercise, participants are labeled inferior or superior based on the color of their eyes.

"It is very powerful, very moving," Strom said. "It takes a different approach on prejudice."

Several television documentaries have focused on Elliot's work. Two of those won Emmy Awards. Her film "A Class Divided" is being used to instruct high school students in South Africa about prejudice and the effects of racism.

Other activities include a community celebration of King with be held at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau Monday at 7 p.m. and an art contest for area elementary school students. Participants' drawing will be displayed in the University Center Program Lounge.

"It is a time for the community to reflect on the value of Martin Luther King and all he tried to represent," Charles Kupchella, university provost, said of the King activities. "It is really an important event for the campus."

Martin Luther King Celebration activities

Today

8 a.m. -- Eleventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast Buffet at Show Me Center, 1333 N. Sprigg St. Tickets will not be sold at the door but the event is free to students with a University Meal Plan.

7 p.m. -- Sixth annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Jane Elliott will lead the audience in sensitizing exercises at 6 p.m. at the University Center Ballroom. The exercises teach the effects of racism on both the offender and victim. Admission cost $5.

Ongoing activities:

Jan. 15-19

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Art Contest displays. The displays of artwork by Cape Girardeau schoolchildren are open to the public from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. at the University Center Program Lounge.

Jan. 23-25

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photographic Exhibition

A photo exhibit of King's life will be unveiled at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the University Center Program Lounge. The exhibit is compiled from the Black Archives of MidAmerica in Kansas City.

The events are sponsored by the Southeast Missouri State University, Campus Assistance Center, Student Development office and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee.