FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympic Medalist Famous for Act of Civil Disobedience Coming to South Bend
--John Carlos to Give Public Lecture at Saint Mary's College--
Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4579
February 24, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—It is an iconic image that captured the sentiment of the Civil Rights Movement and the attention of the world. Two black U.S. sprinters standing on the medal podium at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City with their heads bowed and their black-gloved fists raised. The gesture by the two San Jose State University students was intended to draw attention to the plight of African Americans at the time, and that it did.
One of those men, bronze medalist and human rights activist John Carlos, will be in South Bend on Tuesday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 9 to share his story of civil disobedience and how it affected his life. His visit includes a talk titled “A Passion for Justice,” which he will give at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Carroll Auditorium of Madeleva Hall at Saint Mary's College. The event is free and open to the public.
One of the organizers of the visit, Catherine Pittman, associate professor of psychology at Saint Mary's College, describes the significance of Carlos’ gesture. “This historical flashpoint, in which two college students single-handedly empowered the black community, shows how much power students have to make a statement which can change the perspective of a nation.”
Carlos’ visit is made possible by Saint Mary’s College (the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership, the Department of Psychology and Communicative Disorders, and Multicultural Services and Student Programs), the Indiana University Civil Rights Heritage Center, the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, the South Bend Heritage Foundation, and Providing Options, an organization that helps people focus on their potential.
“John Carlos is a unique person with many special gifts,” said Verge "Brother Sage" Gillam, founder of Providing Options and one of the organizers of the visit. “He is a warm and sensitive person who was raised in the slums of Harlem; he came from a warm loving family; and he is a world class athlete who was told to compete and not to think. In his quest he took a stand and has paid dearly.”
Pittman believes that Carlos’ visit will have a profound effect on Saint Mary's students, as well as other local college students. “One of the goals of the Psychology and Communicative Disorders Department is to prepare our students to work to make a difference in the diverse communities that form the United States. In this project, our departments team up with South Bend community groups that are also interested in promoting social justice through improved race relations.” Pittman adds, “John Carlos’ story is an inspirational one of how to fight to break down boundaries between different cultural and socioeconomic groups.”
Carlos currently works to address both domestic and global injustices, and his days are spent counseling and providing a strong positive influence on young people.
The following events are open to the public.
Tuesday, March 8
o 10 a.m.: Press conference, Indiana University Civil Rights Heritage Center
o 11:30 a.m.: Soul Food Luncheon, “Education in the 21st Century”, Charles Martin Youth Center ($10, for reservations call 574-280-7092)
o 2:30 p.m.: “Not Just a Game” movie and discussion, Student Activity Center, Room 225, Indiana University South Bend (Carlos will not be there)
o 7 p.m.: “A Passion for Justice”, lecture by John Carlos, Carroll Auditorium, Madeleva Hall, Saint Mary’s College
Wednesday, March 9
o 6 p.m.: “The Cost of Courage”, lecture by John Carlos, Indiana University Civil Rights Heritage Center
For more information, contact Catherine Pittman at: cpittman@saintmarys.edu
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.