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Released 11/8/2004

Dr. Dennis Brutus' 80th Birthday Celebration
Events are free and open to the public.

Over the course of two days, November 16 and November 17, the College community will have the honor of celebrating the 80th birthday of internationally known South African poet, human rights activist and friend of WSC, Dr. Dennis Brutus, who is here to impart his knowledge of and passion for human rights issues. Several events are planned including panel discussions and poetry readings. Dr. Brutus is a living legend and this is an opportunity you won't want to miss -- an extraordinary man for extraordinary times.

For decades Dennis Brutus has been a global human rights force, through his acts and poetry challenging people around the world to fight injustice and oppression in all its forms.  From his early days in South Africa, where he began his struggle against Apartheid, to his life in the United States and around the world, Dr. Brutus struggled on behalf of so many.  Imprisoned on the infamous Robben Island and elsewhere under the Afrikaner regime and shot by government forces while attempting an escape, he was also a key factor in getting South Africa barred from the Olympics.  After a long battle, he received political asylum in the United States in the 1980s.

Tuesday, 11/16/2004

"Yet Again, Genocide in the Sudan"
10:00 AM-12:00 PM Student Center, Blue Lounge - Free and Open to the Public
Come and learn from the world renown South African poet and human rights activist, Dr. Dennis Brutus, who will be convening a panel discussion on the current human rights crisis in the Sudan--which has now been recognized as a case of genocide. Dr. Brutus will join WSC students in the course, "Genocide and Human Rights" for this panel discussion. Dr. Brutus is visiting Worcester State College to celebrate his 80th birthday and to impart his knowledge of and passion for human rights issues.
Sponsored by: Center for the Study of Human Rights
For more information, e-mail htheriault@worcester.edu or call 508-929-8612.

"Globalization, Oppression and Violence" Panel Discussion
7:00 PM-9:00 PM Ghosh Center for Science and Technology, Multimedia Auditorium (ST 102) - Free and open to the public.
Join Dr. Dennis Brutus and Sociology Professor Corey Dolgon and others for a panel discussion of the relationships among trends in economic globalization, militarization/violence, and political oppression.
Sponsored by: Center for the Study of Human Rights and the Sociology Department
For more information, e-mail htheriault@worcester.edu or call 508-929-8612.

Wednesday, 11/17/2004

“Reparations:  The Legacy of Apartheid in South Africa”

11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Eager Auditorium, Sullivan Building, (west wing)

Dr. Dennis Brutus and others will present remarks on this topic. 

"The Worcester State College Dennis Brutus Collection"
2:30 PM-4:00 PM Ghosh Center for Science and Technology, Multimedia Auditorium (ST 102) - Free and open to the public.
Dr. Kenneth Gibbs of the Languages and Literature Department will present Dr. Dennis Brutus, South African poet and human rights activist, with his newly edited collection of original, previously unpublished works. The collection was developed through Dr. Gibbs research in the Dennis Brutus Collection housed in the WSC Library, the largest repository of his work in the U.S. During the program, Dr. Brutus will read some of the poems in the collection. Dr. Gibbs will describe his research effort and how he developed this book. Happy Birthday, Dr. Brutus!
Sponsored by: Center for the Study of Human Rights, Languages and Literature Department
For more information, e-mail htheriault@worcester.edu or call 508-929-8612.

“Poetry Reading:  Dennis Brutus and Old and New Friends”

7 to 9 PM:   Ghosh Science and Technology Center, Multimedia Auditorium (ST 102) - Free and open to the public.

Dr. Brutus will host a group of poets reading from their works.  Esteemed poet and human rights activist Professor Marjorie Agosin of Wellesley College will be featured, along with local poet Andre Juarez and others.

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