AP) — A Kansas State Board of Education member who was criticized for using a racial slur has offered to recite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at a public discussion.

Steve Roberts, a Republican from Overland Park, said Monday he’s offered to recite King’s famous speech from memory at the event Friday. The event is being organized by Topeka activist Sonny Scroggins to discuss the “N-word” and free speech.

Roberts drew criticism in May after he used the racial epithet at a state board meeting during a discussion on African-American history. Roberts said during that discussion that it was the 50th anniversary of King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and that King had used the “N-word” in his letter.