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January 17, 2006
Keynoter Jim Wallis to tackle ‘God’s politics’

BY Katherine Baust Lukens

Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, will headline Emory’s King Week 2006, a weeklong celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. Wallis will discuss his most recent book, God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It.

“Given his activism in social justice issues, [Wallis] was a natural selection to open up a week celebrating a man who spent his life committed to social justice around the world,” said Cynthia Shaw, director of student development in Campus Life and chair of the University’s MLK Holiday Observance Committee.

A renowned Christian leader for social change, Wallis is a speaker, author, activist and international commentator on ethics and public life. He was a founder of the ministry Sojourners more than 30 years ago and continues to serve as the editor of the organization’s magazine, which covers faith, politics and culture. In 1995, Wallis was instrumental in forming Call to Renewal, a national federation of churches, denominations and faith-based organizations from across the theological and political spectrum working to overcome poverty. Wallis’ lecture will take place Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. in Glenn Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

As is the case every year, a range of service, educational, entertainment and memorial activities define King Week at Emory, opening with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday tree planting in Atlanta’s MLK Historic District, coordinated by Hands on Atlanta.

A notable King Week event will be Chapel Tea, on Jan. 17 at 4:00 p.m. in Cannon Chapel featuring a discussion with Wallis. “This event is open to the community but will be an opportunity to attend a smaller, more informal gathering with him,” Shaw said.

Shaw also noted that a “listening project,” “Words of Peace,” is a recent addition to the King Week schedule that will demonstrate the reach King’s teaching had around the world. Writings and speeches of human rights activists from various countries will be read in their original languages, with English translations by faculty and students affiliated with Emory’s language departments. This event will take place on Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Jones Room of Woodruff Library.

Another new event, inspired by the annual “Women Talking With Women: Reflecting on Race, Ethnicity and Culture,” will be “Men in Dialogue: Reflecting on Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Health and Spirituality.” Panelists include Eugene Emory, professor of psychology; Michael Huey, executive director, Student Health Services; Robert Agnew, professor of sociology; and Christopher Wallace, graduate student, Candler School of Theology. The event will be moderated by Tariq Shakoor, director of the Career Center, and will take place on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Jones Room.

King Week encompasses many other performances, forums and exhibits, all of which are free and open to the public. For a full listing, visit www.sph.emory.edu/AWARDS/kingweek.html.

 

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