PULLMAN, Wash. – Former Washington State University staff member and photographer James H. Barker will talk about the photos he took of the 1965 civil rights march to Selma, Ala., during a reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, in the Terrell Library atrium at WSU.
An exhibit featuring his photographs is free to the public through March 20 in WSU’s anthropology museum in College Hall.
Barker witnessed the Selma march with other Pullman residents David Warren, Associated Students of WSU president, and Robert Cole, WSU economics instructor. Warren will attend the Jan. 21 reception; president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and former president of Wesleyan University, he has said the march had a transformative effect on his life.
“To see Jim Barker’s photos and to hear him and David Warren talk about their authentic experience will be another opportunity for our community to understand the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement and appreciate that, 50 years ago, fellow Cougs were part of this momentous occasion,” said Maria de Jesus Dixon, manager of WSU’s culture and heritage houses and planning committee chair for the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations.
A story appearing in a recent edition of Washington State Magazine (https://magazine.wsu.edu/2015/04/23/seeing-selma/) highlights how it came about that Barker photographed the march.
The photo exhibit is part of a series of WSU events planned to King’s birthday. The annual MLK Community Celebration, featuring hip hop artist and community activist Jasiri X, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in the CUB ballroom.
Contacts:
Maria de Jesus Dixon, WSU culture and heritage houses, 509-339-6172, mjd.dixon@wsu.edu
Steve Nakata, WSU Administrative Services communications and marketing, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu
