Comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory will speak at the Rose Theater tonight about the upcoming presidential election. Gregory will appear at 7 p.m. as part of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternityÃs Night of Enlightenment.
"We chose him because he is a prominent figure in the African-American community," said Arnett Muse, Alpha Phi Alpha secretary.
Muse said Gregory would speak about current issues like voting.
Frank Scott, vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha, said these issues are important to the fraternity.
Alpha Phi Alpha had a voter registration table in The University Center yesterday and will be there today as well.
"We're about to have one of the biggest elections of my generation," Scott said.
He added that the fraternity wanted Gregory to enlighten the student body on world issues and anything dealing with elections.
A representative for Gregory said he could talk on anything he wanted, but that what he brings to the table is political satire.
"It will be seriously humorous and humorously serious," the representative added.
Gregory, a former Alpha Phi Alpha member, came to The University of Memphis three years ago, shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.
He spoke about things the government was not telling the public, Scott said. He said there was a huge turnout when Gregory appeared then, and that his speech ended with a couple of hourÃs worth of questions and answers.
"We packed that house out," Scott said. Gregory spoke from 7 to 8:30 p.m., but we didn't leave until around 11:30 p.m. Scott is expecting 100-150 people to attend this year's event.
Del Delorm, manager of the Michael D. Rose Theater and Lecture Hall where Gregory will speak, said he expects a large turnout again because of Gregory's popular name.
The Student Activity's Council is co-sponsoring the event.
"Basically, all we do is put up the funding and they do the rest," said Chris Hawk SAC president.
Scott said his fraternity does not have the budget to bring big names, but an organization like SAC does.
The event is free and open to the public.
