Intercultural Activity Toolkit: Martin Luther King International Movie Night

Activity Information
Recommended Audience	N/A
Length of Time	3 hours
Resources	See Description
Number of Facilitators	1-3 (need co-facilitators for group discussions for each group)
Source of Activity	Office of International Education (with assistance from M.L.K. Day Planning Committee) Benjamin M. Williams
Purpose	Cultural Adaptation, American culture and community connections Educate international students about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Prepare students for other M.L.K. Day activities

Martin Luther King International Night

A. Utilize nationality clubs and other student organizations, especially those invested in diversity, multicultural and intercultural awareness.

B. Choose a comfortable space where students normally gather for programs. We chose the Frank Hale Black Cultural Center, located on Central campus near residence halls and the Office of International Education.

C. Try to tap community resources and sponsors to help with the cost and advertising for the event.

A. Advertising

i. International student and scholars contacted by email

ii. Flyers placed in Office of International Education, Frank Hale Black Cultural Center, American Language Program and Ohio Union.

iii. Nationality clubs communicated with their constituents through meeting and emails.

B. Structure of the event

i. Participants meet at 6:00 pm

ii. Pizza and soft drinks are served

iii. The event begins with a welcome and a 10-15 minute slide show on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students are given a brief overview of his life, his legacy and what he stood for.

iv. Students are then able to ask questions of the facilitator(s)

v. Students are then broken up into small groups for discussion of the following questions:

1. Before coming to the U.S., what was your impression of people of color in the U.S.?

2. What was your impression of white people?

3. Did you know about the Civil Rights Movement? What had you heard?

4. What have you learned since coming to the U.S.?

vi. 7:00pm. These reflections are used as a lead-in to a video presentation of a film such as the HBO Special on Martin Luther King’s Life: The Boycott. Students are able to continue eating and drinking soft drinks during the film. Popcorn and pretzels are also offered.

vii. After the film, the group discusses more about the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of Dr. King. Students are asked to share their original assumptions and what they have learned.

viii. This leads to a discussion of other activities that will take place as part of the MLK Day activities, beginning the week before the celebration of the birthday of Dr. King.

ix. These activities include speeches and lectures, social activities, and a full day of activities on MLK Day. These activities are organized through other groups and organizations, although the Office of International Education is involved in the larger planning and meetings MLK Day activities:

a. Community Service in the afternoon with a kick-off in the Ohio Union (9:00am – 2:00pm)

b. Student March downtown to City Hall (3:00 – 5:00)

c. Performance and activities at Veterans’ Memorial (5:30 – 8:00pm)

A. With Participants

i. Invite participants to come to a short meeting that includes soft drinks and cookies to discuss the event.

ii. Questions to ask individually and from the group

a. In terms of the OIE Program (MLK International Movie Night)

i. What was the best part?

ii. What was the worst part, or part that didn’t work?

iii. What improvements could we make for next year?

iv. How could we better advertise?

v. Any other suggestions?

b. In terms of larger activities surrounding the week

i. What was the best event?

ii. What was the worst or least meaningful event?

iii. What suggestions do you have for next year:

iv. Would you be interested in assisting with the planning of the program(s) for next year?

B. With Planners
***Same questions as above, and share the answers from the participants so to improve on the program for the following year. Do this soon after the event so not to lose people’s perspectives and ideas.