Film, Speeches Inagurate King Birthday Tributes

Anniversary tributes to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began in Orange County Wednesday with poetry readings, choir performances and speeches about the legacy of the slain civil rights leader.

At UC Irvine, a three-day tribute began with a showing of a segment of “Eyes on the Prize,” a documentary series chronicling King’s life and the civil rights movement. Associate producer Judy Richardson later addressed students and faculty members in a Wednesday evening symposium that also featured gospel singers and a mayoral proclamation from the city of Irvine.

Thomas Parham, coordinator of UC Irvine’s 10th annual observance of King’s birthday, said the events are intended to serve both as a celebration of King’s life and a reminder of the progress that has yet to be made toward his dream of an equal society.

Parham said the yearly tributes--at churches, schools and other organizations throughout the county--provide an opportunity to celebrate black culture and history, as well as a time to take pride in the gains blacks have made toward greater political representation in the years since King’s assassination in 1968.

But much work remains to be done, he said.

“While this county is a desegregated place, I don’t think it’s a very integrated place yet,” said Parham, the director of UCI’s counseling center and career planning and placement center. “To be truly integrated, everybody who represents a different culture has to be able to see himself reflected in the larger community and its institutions. African Americans can’t do that here yet.”

He said the events scheduled on the campus during the next few days include panel discussions, community forums and a traditional march from Mason Park to Gateway Plaza.

Throughout the county, these organizations are planning activities in honor of King’s birthday during the next week:

* Today, the Baptist Ministers Fellowship Conference of Orange County will host the first of three services, “In the Spirit of Unity,” with host Pastor Van Roberson at Greater Light Baptist Church. Pastor George W. Banks will speak. The service is at 7 p.m. at 1600 W. 3rd St., Santa Ana.

* A student panel on “Moving From Desegregation to Integration: An Open Forum on Race Relations,” will be held at 10 a.m. today in Emerald Bay Rooms A, B and C in UCI’s Student Center.

* Part 2 of “Eyes on the Prize” will be shown at 2 p.m. today in the video lounge of UCI’s student center.

* Black community leaders, including Randy Jordan, publisher of the Black Orange, will discuss issues such as education, police and media and the lack of a central core for black culture in Orange County at 7 tonight in UCI’s Crystal Cove Auditorium.

* On Friday, UCI’s 10th annual march and rally will begin at Mason Park at 10 a.m. and continue at noon at UCI’s Gateway Plaza.

* The New Spirit Baptist Church with Pastor Mark Williams will host the second of the “In the Spirit of Unity” services, at 7 p.m. Friday at 701 S. Sullivan St., Santa Ana. Pastor John N. McReynolds will speak.

* On Monday, a commemorative breakfast sponsored by the Neighbors, a black social and cultural organization, will be held at 9 a.m. at Burrell’s Barbecue and Cafe, 14962 Sand Canyon Ave. in Irvine. The topic is “Continuing the Dream by Taking Our Children Back.”

* A commemorative bust will be dedicated to King at the Gentle Spring on the campus of Chapman University near Palm Avenue and Grand Street in Orange. The program, from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, will feature a recollection of King’s 1961 visit to the then-Chapman College, including readings of excerpts by Don Will and a musical performance by Clay Curtis and Associates.

* The National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People’s Orange County chapter will host a “Celebration” program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Valley High School in Santa Ana.

* The last of the “In the Spirit of Unity” services will be held at Second Baptist Church at 10:45 a.m. Monday with host Pastor John N. McReynolds at 1915 W. McFadden St., Santa Ana. Pastor Mark Williams will speak.

* On Jan. 20, an old-fashioned breakfast with music and speakers will take place at 8 a.m. at Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden St., Santa Ana.