Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., is scheduled to speak against legalized abortion on Feb. 24 at Saint Louis University.
An author of several books, King is a former member of the Georgia state legislature and a college professor. She received an abortion herself earlier in her life.
The event is sponsored by Students For Life, Great Issues Committee, the theology department and the philosophy department.
According to SFL President Sarah Pingel, the speech goes along with Respect Life Week that was held last semester.
“I think that this is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the pro-life movement from a different perspective, because she is collating her uncle’s fight in the ’60s with the current anti-abortion movement,” she said.
Theodore Vitali, chair of the philosophy department, said that even though the department was helping to sponsor a more one-sided speaker, it wasn’t necessarily an endorsement in either direction regarding abortion.
“I wouldn’t say [the philosophy department is] taking a position. I think she is a very important voice though, and I’m going to support it,” he said. “Just as a matter of principle, I’m going to support anything the University will put out that’s going to put forward moral issues.”
Vitali praised the fact that King will give voice to one side of this important issue, stressing the importance of academic freedom and the ability to engage in discourse regarding hot button issues like abortion.
Most SLU students, regardless of political leanings, expressed interest in attending. Freshman Ashley Siadek, who is anti-abortion, said that it’s definitely an event she would attend, and thinks it will go a long way toward increasing awareness.
“She’s a really influential person, especially considering her background,” she said.
Junior Tina Vollmer, who is on the fence between the two viewpoints, said she would be very interested in attending to hear the anti-abortion viewpoint of an educated and well-known figure like King.
Abortion-rights supporter junior Kristin Swanson, said she definitely plans to attend.
“I’m very intrigued to hear what she has to say. Regardless of what she’s speaking about, talking about reproductive rights is always important,” she said.
She also expressed a wish that there could be a space on this campus in which other standpoints could be examined as well, though.
King’s speech, which is titled “How Can the Dream Survive?”, will take place at 7 p.m. in the St. Louis Room in Busch Student Center.
The event is free and open to the public, as well as SLU students, faculty and staff.
