The annual event aims to shed a light on civil rights struggles past and present with speakers, exhibits and gatherings
LAWRENCE -- Rider University's "Unity Days" aims to shed a light on civil rights struggles past and present with speakers, exhibits and gatherings.
The annual multi-day event is meant to bring students, faculty, staff and the community at large together to celebrate the university's diversity.
"While divisiveness continues to mark events on a national and global scale, we have organized several events at Rider that are meant to display the unity among our diverse campus community," said Pamela Pruitt, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
On Monday, the Flip Schulke Photography Exhibit will open to the public featuring the work of one of the most acclaimed photographers of the Civil Rights movement. The display will include photographs from the 1960s and of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his family.
The exhibit runs through Nov. 8. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Seminar Room of the Student Recreation Center.
A panel discussion with civil rights pioneer Edith Savage-Jennings and George Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State College, will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
MORE: Edith Savage-Jennings, civil rights activist who knew MLK, speaks
The focus will be on how civil rights have been viewed through history are understood today from "We Shall Overcome" to #BlackLivesMatter.
On Thursday, a March for Peace will begin in the Bart Luedeke Center and end on the campus mall. The march will feature the Unashamed Gospel Choir, praise dancing and the Westminster Jubilee Singers.
Unity Days will end Oct. 14 with a lecture on "Just Mercy" author and Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson. He explores whether "justice for all" applies to everyone regardless of race, age or economic status.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
