Convocation promotes civil rights
Campus Times
February 21, 1997
Black History Month events included the spring convocation and lecture
given by Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr., pastor of Holman United Methodist Church
in Los Angeles. "Proposition 209 and Civil Rights: Lest We Forget"
was the topic of discussion. Lawson discussed the media's inability to report
the full truth. He has worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and met King's
convicted assassin, James Earl Ray in prison.
Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr,. spoke on the civil rights issue and the recent
passing of Proposition 209, the Affirmative Action bill, Tuesday in Founders
Auditorium.
The lecture was sponsored by the Associated Student Federation (ASF)
Forum, the Coalition for Diversity, Minority Students Affairs, the Afrikan
American Student Alliance and the Brothers Forum.
Rev. Lawson is a pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles
since July 1, 1974. He played a strong role in the Civil Rights movement
in the 1960's and was a close associate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A powerful message about society and how the media plays a great role
in it seemed to ring out in Rev. Lawson's speech.
Rev. Lawson believed that the media has a way of portraying things the
way they want. For example the way the media covered James Earl Ray after
he pleaded guilty for killing Martin Luther King, Jr., and when the Berlin
Wall fell.
He beckoned people to rise up and take a stand, or things will never
change.
"It is like a frog in a pot with the fire on low, even though the
degree keeps going up, the frog never knows it, until it's boiling and it
dies," said Rev. Lawson about the civil right problem facing minorities
and women.
"The speech was geared toward everybody but he talked about how
minorities are still struggling in the system and if our generation doesn't
do anything to break the cycle," said sophomore Cairen Ireland.
Black History Month is intended to be a time of remembrance and enlightenment.
One way that the University can enlighten its students is by inviting speakers
such as Rev. Lawson to the campus and share what exactly Black History means
to them.
Other activities planned for this month include the Soul Food Dinner
and Live Jazz Combo at 4:45 p.m. in Daven-port held on Monday and the Candlelight
Ceremony in Founders Auditorium at 7 p.m.