ELMHURST, Ill., April 22, 2009 -- At a multicultural-multimedia event, an Elmhurst College professor and students will respond to racism in America as part of a musical presentation on Friday, May 1, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst). Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The event, titled “Free Music, Free Words, Free of Lies,” includes performances by student-led bands Fantastic Mammals, Mendelssohn, and Apathy. It is sponsored in part by Allies of Change and Radio Freedom Underground.

Radio Freedom Underground was created by Elmhurst College student Kevin O’Donnell as a venue for using music as a weapon against hatred. It came about as his response to an assignment in English Professor Ron Wiginton’s class.

Wiginton is the founder of Allies of Change, a non-profit association dedicated to promoting social and cultural harmony through education and civic engagement. One aspect of that mission includes public lectures presented in the form of musical concerts. At the May 1 convert event, Wiginton is being billed as “The Professor.”

“I am a white-male racial activist,” he said. “A lecture by an English professor is not uncommon. But a lecture by some anonymous white guy talking about racism will hopefully resonate on a different level with the audience.

“My idea is that young people in particular do not readily attend lectures on cultural theory,” Wiginton said. “But people will indeed go to a rock concert. It seemed natural that we team up with Radio Freedom Underground for the Elmhurst event.”

Proceeds (including a suggested donation at the door) will cover production costs, with all remaining funds being donated to Amnesty International.

“This lecture will certainly not be traditional,” Wiginton said. “It will be a little edgy in that I will be attempting to uncover what I call the ‘smokescreen’ that masks racism.”

According to Wiginton, while America has made great progress in the battle against racial inequality (illustrated dramatically by the election of U.S. President Barack Obama), many members of the community have been misled by this progress.

“What we see today is proof that the battle for equality has not been in vain,” Wiginton said. “But it does not mean the battle has been won. Unfortunately, many members of our community still harbor ill will toward people who don’t look like them. My goal is to help those people see the truth.”

This event is co-sponsored by the Elmhurst College office of intercultural education and office of intercultural student affairs.

For more information visit www.elmhurst.edu or email kevin@radiofreedom.biz.

Founded in 1871, Elmhurst College is a four-year, private, liberal arts College affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

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