MLK Day A Revolution of Values Confronting the Triple Evils of Our Society

Presented by the Black Student Union at Deering High School in partnership with the Maine Black Community Development, Make It Happen, and Portland Public Schools, this year’s MLK Jr. Holiday program draws inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s landmark 1967 speech The Three Evils of Society. Delivered nearly 60 years ago at the National Conference on New Politics, this speech built on themes Dr. King elevated throughout that year, including in Beyond Vietnam—A Time to Break Silence and Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community. Together, these speeches challenge us to confront the intertwined forces of war, poverty, and racism—issues that remain deeply relevant in our society today. In the spirit of more than forty years of community celebration led by the NAACP Portland Branch, this event invites our broader community into a shared discussion about the meaning of the “triple evils” and the actions needed to dismantle them.

Info: The program begins with a Fishbowl-style conversation featuring four community leaders who will reflect on the themes of war, poverty, and racism. Each speaker—Tim Wilson of Seeds of Peace; Rev. Kenneth Lewis of Green Memorial Church or Bishop Steve Coleman of Williams Temple Church of God in Christ; Melanie from the City of Portland Economic Development; and Donna Loring, former Penobscot Nation representative and veteran—will respond to a set of guiding questions and engage one another in dialogue to help deepen our collective understanding.

Info: Following the discussion, student facilitators from the Black Student Union, Asian Student Union, and Grupo Latino will lead a Town Hall and Call to Action. All officially declared gubernatorial candidates will be invited to participate in a non-partisan discussion, seated on stage in a semicircle. Candidates will answer a series of prepared questions before student facilitators invite audience members to direct questions to specific candidates. Consistent with the program’s non-partisan commitment, no endorsements or candidate promotion will be permitted by any speakers or sponsoring organizations.

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Host or Publisher Black Student Union at Deering High School