Inglewood Native Participates in Martin Luther King, Jr Presentation

2017 Feb 14

Inglewood resident Gerald Evans was part of an ensemble group of Newberry College students, faculty and staff featuring in "Speaking the Dream," a theatrical performance honoring the life and accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The performances depict two pivotal moments in King's evolution as a leader, the obstacles he faced and the changing strategies of the civil rights movement. This year's presentations also included Coretta Scott King's Harvard commencement address in 1968, shortly after her husband's death.

This production gave the Office of Diversity, the Department of Theatre Department and The Muller Center at Newberry College an opportunity to commemorate the life of Dr. King and to remind our community how this courageous man of action also used his words to inspire an entire nation. Newberry College students and faculty worked together to produce and perform the one-hour production written by retired Sociology professor Dr. Joseph McDonald.

Gerald Evans, a Communications student at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C., portrayed King during his speech at Riverside Church in New York in 1967. The speech was about American involvement in the war in Vietnam and outlined his reason for opposing the war. Evans worked hard at memorizing and internalizing the lines of the speech so he could interact in a more personal way with the audience, and watched numerous clips of King's speeches to prepare for the role.

As the Director of Diversity Education, we have all collaborated on this event for the past 4 years. It's been an opportunity to pay a small tribute to the legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while educating the audience on the immeasurable impact that he and the Civil Rights Movement made on our country/ nation.," said professor of Sport Professions Dr. Peggy Winder, the Director of Diversity Education.

"Dr. King has been a big influence on my life and the way I approach things. It was an honor to be part of the Speaking the Dream production and help bring his words and thoughts to life," Said professor of Sport Professions Dr. John Lesaine.

"Dr. King was personal when he spoke - even to large audiences - and gave everything in his speeches," Evans said. "I wanted to do the same thing."

"Four years later I remain deeply touched by the experience of "Speaking the Dream." Performing my role as one of the Birmingham clergyman who felt that Dr. King was in 1963 acting in an "unwise and untimely" manner challenges me to wonder what social injustices are taking place right under my nose today to which I am unaware. The program inspires me to want to be part, not of the problem, but of the solution.," Said Professor of Religon, Humanities Wayne Kannaday.

The event was produced by the Office of Diversity, the Department of Theatre Department and The Muller Center at Newberry College.

More than 150 students, faculty and staff attended the performances depicting the life and legacy of one of most iconic figures of the Civil Rights Movement.