While some students attended The Von Bondies concert Wednesday night, across the lobby, others attended the Malcolm X Symposium.

The keynote speaker for the symposium was James Cone, a Charles A. Briggs distinguished professor from New York.

Cone discussed the parallels between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during his address.

Cone was part of a full day of speakers who discussed the life and work of Malcolm X. Panelists in the morning and afternoon discussed the idea and beliefs of Malcolm X and the relationship between Islam and African Americans in America.

The symposium was held by the Black History Committee and MSU's African American and African Studies. Lee June, vice president for student affairs and services, the Office of the Provost and the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs co-sponsored the event.

"I think it's important to have a whole day for Malcolm X because Malcolm is one of the most important African-American leaders of the 20th century." Cone said. Cone also said he believes that Malcolm X will one day get the same kind of recognition that King gets, "when Americans understand that racism is America's original sin."

Curtis Stokes, assistant professor in the James Madison College and director of MSU's African American and African Studies, said he chose Cone to be the symposium's keynote speaker because "he has insights into Malcolm X's complex similarity between he and Martin Luther King (Jr.)."

History junior Geneva Thomas said she attended the symposium to show support.

"As a member of the Black Student Alliance, I am always trying to heighten my consciousness," she said.