In the midst of this year's campaign season, student political activism is the highlight
of a special conference being held on the Alabama State University campus March 28. The event is sponsored by ASU's National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and
African-American Culture (National Center) in coordination with the school's student
chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Alabama State University dean, Dr. Janice Franklin oversees the National Center. She shared that the program, titled "New Century, Old Challenges: Student Political Activism Then and Now,” will take place between the hours of 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. at the National Park Service's Montgomery Interpretive Center, located adjacent to the ASU Stadium on the corner of Harris Way and N. University
Drive. The Interpretative Center highlights the activities of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery
March.
Franklin believes that the activism conference marks a significant milestone in the
National Center's ongoing effort to address issues thematically consistent with the
purpose of the Montgomery Interpretive Center and the National Park Services’ emphasis
on celebrating the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March and the voting rights campaign it
symbolizes.
"Our National Center's March 28 program explores the motivations, experience, and
challenges faced by student activists of the 1960s and then examines the same issues
for politically active students today," Franklin stated. "In addition, our ASU program
will include the roll out of a web-based voting rights portal, called The Voter’s Portal, whose web initiative is sponsored by the Voting Rights Research and Repository Project, which is also an initiative of ASU's National Center for the Study of Civil Rights
and African-American Culture."
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT THEN AND NOW
Franklin's staff associate, Je'lon R. Alexander, is helping to coordinate the event. He explained that a major highlight will be
a political and governmental overview of the United States delivered by Dr. Regina Moorer, a distinguished professor of political science at ASU.
"Dr. Moorer’s insights promise to shed light on the current political landscape and
its intersection with civil rights issues. In addition, the program will feature pre-recorded
interviews of past students from the ASU Class of 1967, providing valuable perspectives
from individuals who were actively involved in the 1965 voting rights campaign during
a pivotal period in history," Alexander said. "These interviews will be juxtaposed
with interviews from contemporary ASU students, illustrating the evolution of activism
and political engagement across generations."
The National Center emphasized that the centerpiece of the program will be a dynamic
"Round Table" discussion, showcasing the diverse perspectives of governmental leaders,
political organizers, academic scholars, and both current and former student activists.
"The purpose of this conference is to put forth an inclusive dialogue that aims to
foster meaningful discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing voting advocacy
among the student population in today’s society," said Franklin. "We cordially invite
students, faculty, staff, news media journalists, and members of the broader community
to join us for this momentous occasion. Together, let us honor the legacy of the civil
rights movement and renew our commitment to advancing social justice and equality
for all."
National Center's contact for more information: Dr. Howard Robinson, 334-229-4491 Email:
hrobinson@alasu.edu
ASU news media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
