To commemorate the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., University of Idaho undergraduates, graduates and professional students enrolled for the spring 2016 semester are invited to write an essay or create an artistic piece in the medium of their choice in response to a prompt about equality and social, racial and ethnic justice.

2016 Contest Details

The Work of Alicia Garza

This year’s University of Idaho MLK Day keynote speaker is award-winning activist and organizer Alicia Garza. Credited with inspiring the "Black Lives Matter" slogan, Garza is known for her work to create caring community in her hometown of San Francisco.

Along with being co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, Garza is the executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and has rallied behind numerous causes to end police brutality, racism and violence against minorities.

Taking inspiration from Garza’s work, write a short essay (three pages double-spaced) or create a piece of original artwork that imagines how we might work to create a more caring community on the University of Idaho campus.

Entries Due: 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2016

Essays: Submit electronic copies to UBUNTU Chair Erin James atMLKcontest@uidaho.edu.

Art Entries: Drop off pieces at the UI English Department Administrative Office in Brink Hall Room 200.


Eligibility:

All University of Idaho degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate and professional students enrolled for the spring 2016 semester are invited to enter.

Students must submit a student permission form along with their essay or artwork.

To find out more about the judging criteria, awards, awards ceremony, and sponsors, visit our website at http://www.uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/ubuntu/mlk-art-and-essay-contest, or contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at (208)885-7716, or by email at oma@uidaho.edu.