Icons of the Civil Rights Movement exhibit 

"Freedom Trail" walking tour, given Sept. 3, 3:00 p.m.

The Freedom Trail walking tour showcased significant Civil Rights-related locations on the Brandeis campus.  It was led by the student group MLK Scholars and Friends.

Opening reception with the artist, held Sept. 3, 4 p.m., Rapaporte Treasure Hall

The opening reception featured the artist, Pamela Chatterton-Purdy, who spoke about her life-long involvement with social justice and the Civil Rights movement.  Chatterton-Purdy discussed in great detail the exhibit, how she visualized each "icon" as she approached their representation, and how she chose the materials for each--frame, paint type, and other aspects. A lively question and answer session followed the talk.  Faculty, administrators, library staff, and students attended.

"Freedom Trail" walking tour, given  Sept. 18, 3:00 p.m.

The student group MLK Scholars and Friends led a second Freedom Trail walking tour, showcasing significant Civil Rights-related locations on the Brandeis campus. 

Panel discussion, held Sept. 18, 4:00 p.m., Rapaporte Treasure Hall

-A panel discussion provided the Brandeis community a view into the Civil Rights movement, the "Icons of the Civil Rights Movement" exhibit, and how art and artistic creation influence our interpretation of historical events. 

The panel discussion was titled "Interpreting the Civil Rights Movement: Challenges and Opportunities in Representation."  Panelists included Chaplain Walter Cuenin, Professors Rob Heinrich (History Department), Ellen Smith (Hornstein Program), and Ibrahim Sundiata (African and Afro-American Studies).  It was moderated byProfessor Mark Auslander (Anthropology). 

The following questions guided the discussion:

-How did the various strands of the Civil Rights movement -- political, social, and, for some, religious -- come together to make change?
-What does it mean to be an icon? Does icon status remove the person from being human, flaws and all?
-What does the legacy of these larger-than-life but ordinary people ask of us today? Which parts of King’s dream are still unrealized? Are we still on the path towards that dream?