Student 1960s day to include ‘I have a dream’ speech reenactment

Paislee Winkler 

Contributing Writer

History Now, a newly formed student organization at VCU, will bring the history of 1960s in a daylong event Friday, April 6. This showcase will have lectures, a reenactment of Martin Luther King Jr. speeches and a costume dance featuring the 1960s tribute band, The Jangling Reinharts.

“There are so many parallels to the 1960s to today this event will showcase these comparisons and hopefully educate students on an important time in our nation’s history,” said Debbi Price, president of History Now. “We are planning for 200 to 300 people in attendance; this will hopefully become a tradition highlighting different parts of history.”

These parallels are shown with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSPD) who will be tabling, discussing the drug war and current reform on medical amnesty.

“We are all kind of a hippie in some way, and our club presents some of the hippie lifestyle,” said Brian Gilbert, co-president of SSPD. “A hippie being someone who cares, wants change and may not shower for a few days.”

Students will have the opportunity to dress like anyone or anything, such as a hippie, from the ‘60s in a costume-themed dance at the end of the event, local band The Jangling Reinharts, will be performing. The Jangling Reinharts, are from Richmond specializing in cover songs from the ‘60s. A costume contest with prizes will also be included for best group, male, and female.

Tony Crosby, an actor in the Richmond area, will be reenacting Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech along with some of King’s other speeches including “I’ve Been To the Mountain Top” and “The Drum Major.” The Black Awakening choir will also assist in the performance.

“Martin Luther King was a peacemaker; he brought the nation together,” Crosby said. “His words are still prevalent to today.”

Crosby has performed King’s speeches around the Richmond area since the 1980s in places like city hall, churches and schools.

As part of the showcase, VCU faculty will be showing different lectures. Topics are the Civil Rights Movement, the fashion of the 1960s, the Anti-War Movement, 1960s Hollywood and the music revolution of the 196os led by professors Brian Daugherity, Holly Price Alford, Herbert Hirsch, Emilie Raymond and Christopher Wright, respectively.

Funding for the ‘60s showcase was provided by the Student Government Association of the Monroe Park Campus in a special grant that is the sole contributor. History Now was founded in the summer of 2011 when a group of history major students wanted to bring smart fun and history to VCU. The name comes from the reality that history is happening now.

The event will be in the Commons plaza or, if it rains, inside the Commons. For more information, see the VCU calendar of events or the History Now group page on Facebook.