Southern Methodist University Professor and Chair of English Darryl Dickson-Carr, author of “The Columbia Guide to Contemporary African American Fiction” and “Spoofing the Modern: Satire in the Harlem Renaissance,” will speak on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as part of a university MLK Day event on Monday, Jan. 18.

“The ‘Birthright of Freedom’: Reading ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ in Light of #BlackLivesMatter and Missouri,” which starts at 11 a.m. in the Art History Auditorium, will include responses from Associate Professor of History Susan Hanssen, Associate Professor of Politics David Upham and School of Ministry alumna Lari Newman-Williams, MPM ’07, as well as an open discussion. A luncheon will follow at noon in the Art History Loggia.

“We are so fortunate to have Professor Dickson-Carr, a leading authority on African-American literature, speak to us about Dr. King's letter, a part of our Core curriculum, and connect it to contemporary questions of justice,” said Scott Crider, professor of English and associate dean of Constantin College. “It promises to be a great day of reflection and celebration at UD.”

The event, which is co-sponsored by the President’s Office, Office of Advancement and Constantin College Office of the Dean, is free and open to the general public, but attendees are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 12, to agthompson@udallas.edu. Space is limited.