The 12th Annual Civil Rights Teach-In, held Jan. 28, explored how knowledge—whether carried through language, preserved in libraries, or generated through scientific inquiry—can shape history, advance justice for all, and save lives. It was sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences during K-State’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance Week.
Plan to attend next year’s Teach-In tentatively planned for Jan. 27, 2027!
Assistant Dean Kimathi Choma welcomed audience members.Dr. Spintz Harrison, Social Transformation Studies, presented “Top Secret Mission: The Navajo Code Talkers of World War II,” which examined how the Navajo Code Talkers’ use of Indigenous language transformed military communication while their contributions were silenced for decades.Dr. Ryan Rafferty, Chemistry, presented “Impacts of Libraries: From Peter Pan, the Fall of Rome, and the Titanic to Modern-Day Therapeutic Discovery,” which traced the power of libraries, from cultural memory and shared storytelling to modern scientific “libraries” that unlock new possibilities for therapeutic discovery.All enjoyed good discussion and laughter during the panel session.
