We encourage all readers to participate in upcoming events marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Northeast Michigan.

Public events kick off from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Alpena Community College’s CTR 106 with the presentation “Racism is NOT That Guy in the Pointy Hood,” by award-winning African American storyteller La’Ron Williams.

Events continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at First Congregational Church, 201 S. 2nd Ave., with a workshop on the book “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism,” by Robin Diangelo. That workshop costs $20, including the book and meal, or $10 without the book. Call 989-356-1795 to register.

Finally, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the film “I Am Not Your Negro” will be shown from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in ACC’s CTR 106. The documentary explores the history of racism in the U.S., and ACC Instructor Matt Dunckel will lead a discussion after the film.

As The News reported last year in its “Changing Face of Alpena” series, Northeast Michigan is becoming more ethnically diverse. While the experiences of our neighbors of color are mostly positive, they are not always so.

The events honoring King offer an opportunity for all Northeast Michiganders to learn more about the history of race and racism in this country and how it still affects many Americans of color.

Gaining that understanding can only make Northeast Michigan an even better place.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)