In honor of the upcoming holiday on Monday, participants celebrated the dream and messages of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. yesterday at Arrillaga Alumni Center.

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History Prof. Clayborne Carson addresses a crowd in Arrillaga Alumni Center yesterday on the subject of his play, “Passages of Martin Luther King,” which was recently produced in China, and about King’s enduring legacy. #gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/8353
John Shen

History Prof. Clayborne Carson addresses a crowd in Arrillaga Alumni Center yesterday on the subject of his play, “Passages of Martin Luther King,” which was recently produced in China, and about King’s enduring legacy.

“Global Peace with Social Justice,” a three-hour event sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, featured gospel musical performances of “Precious Lord” and dramatic renditions of King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, both of which moved audience members to tears. Participants also viewed an excerpt from journalist and filmmaker Kevin McKiernan’s documentary “Passages of Martin Luther King in Beijing,” which is still in the production phase.

The 2007 Beijing production of Institute Director Clayborne Carson’s play “Passages of Martin Luther King” was the subject of the documentary. Original letters, personal notes, interviews and speeches served as inspiration for the play, which includes songs such as “Precious Lord” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” and readings of King’s speeches.

In 2007, the play was performed in Chinese at the National Theatre of China by a cast that featured Chinese actors — including one playing the role of King — intermixed with black American gospel singers.

Caitrin McKiernan ‘02, Kevin McKiernan’s daughter, produced the play last summer in Beijing in an effort to teach Chinese citizens about the history of the American civil rights movement. At Stanford, she developed a relationship with Carson while completing her degree in history.

Caitrin McKiernan, who spoke at yesterday’s event, said she believes that the lessons of the civil rights legacy in America are applicable to China.

Her ultimate goal of bringing the messages of King to Beijing was to build a bridge between American and Chinese societies by addressing the peaceful struggle for civil rights and showing that King’s message was also relevant in China.

“China is an emerging superpower, and the U.S. is the superpower,” Caitrin McKiernan said, “and King is someone that both sides believe in.”

“[King] not only is of the U.S — he belongs to China as well,” said National Theatre President Zhao Youliang. “His influence in China is great.”

During the event, Carson spoke of the importance of spreading King’s message and keeping his legacy alive.

“Education is about social justice, equalizing opportunity in our society,” he said. “It’s about empowering the world for the better, not simply using education to get ahead.”