Skip to main content

Human Rights Day Events

Speak Truth to Power

A photo exhibit of portraits of human rights defenders, will open at the African American Cultural Center in Witherspoon Center on Monday, Nov. 12. This exhibit will be open Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 15. The exhibit features black and white portraits taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Eddie Adams, with text by human rights advocate Kerry Kennedy. The exhibit first opened in the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. in September 2000, and has toured around the world since that time.

The exhibit is a “tribute to the achievements of human rights activists around the world, celebrating their courage while urging others to become involved in their struggles”. It contains striking images and stories of activists fighting government corruption (such as Baltasar Garzon of Spain), working to abolish the death penalty (Sister Helen Prejean of the United States), advocates for children (Marian Write Edelman of the United States and Bruce Harris of Guatemala and the United Kingdom), advocates for democracy and justice (Desmond Tutu of South Africa), and models of humanism (Elie Wiesel of Romania and the United States).

The Speak Truth to Power traveling exhibition is an Umbrage Editions Project, curated and published by Nan Richardson. More details about the Speak Truth to Power project can be found online at www.speaktruth.org. The exhibit at NC State was made possible by the NCSU Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs, the Office for Equal Opportunity, the Office for Diversity and Academic Affairs, the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service, the School of Public and International Affairs, the Office of International Affairs, NCSU Libraries, and Wake County Human Resources.

A reception to celebrate the opening of the Speak Truth to Power exhibit will be held 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the African American Cultural Center gallery. Improvisational drumming on djembe and conga drums will be provided by Greg Whitt of Oak City Drums.

Chancellor James Oblinger will issue a proclamation at the reception declaring Dec. 10 Human Rights Day at NC State.

The reception is free and open to the public.

Other Events

  • “Hunger Banquet: What would it be like to be hungry,” Nov. 13, 7 p.m., Talley Blue Room
  • “Hunger and Homeless Organization Expo,” Nov. 14, 11 a.m., Brickyard
  • “Gleaning Service Project (HOWLS),” Nov. 17, Time TBA, Talley
  • “Human Rights Day at NC State,” Dec. 10.