March Honors Dr. King’s Legacy
Marchers took to the streets of Monticello Monday afternoon in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day holiday. Some 100 persons including young, old, and middle-aged traveled through the town via foot, wagon, and car to honor the memory and works of the slain civil rights leader who would have been 86 this year.
The march was sponsored jointly by the Jasper County—Monticello Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and three area churches, St. John C.M.E., St James A.M.E., and Springfield Baptist Churches. The day’s events began promptly at noon with marchers beginning the hike at St. John C.M.E on Key Street and moved swiftly along its course. Rev. Jimmy Horton of Springfield welcomed participants as Dr. Lavonia McIntyre, pastor of St. John, provided a prayer.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office personnel were on hand to ensure the safety of pedestrians along the route with Sheriff Donnie Pope escorting the marchers. From St. John the course led marchers to the steps of the Jasper County Courthouse where inspirational words were again delivered by Rev. Horton and orator Rashiid Shareef, who later enlivened listeners with a rousing rendition of MLK, Jr.’s famous “Drum Major Instinct” sermon.
Traveling around the square down Forsyth Street, marchers arrived at Funderburg Drive making another stop at St. James where Pastor Donna Calix gave another prayer and Rev. Michelle Rizer-Poole of Mt. Zion A.M.E. spoke to those gathered. Onward the route continued along Funderburg and onto Martin Luther King Drive where another stop at the old Washington Park School was made as William Gibson provided comments. Marchers traveled MLK Drive to its conclusion at the intersection of Hwy. 11 then into the final stretch to Springfield.
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Upon arriving at Springfield some 75 minutes from the start, participants took some time to gather themselves and prepare for the second stage of the planned event.
Jacqueline Bell-Smith, SCLC president, performed the duty of worship leader during the program which opened with the Get Ahead House (GAH) and Jasper Carrera youth leading the audience in an occasion-appropriate song of “Take Me To The King.”
Pastor Carla Hill provided the prayer and read the scriptures from the book of Deuteronomy. She pointed out that “some 152 years ago President [Abraham] Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation freeing the slaves. Fifty years ago [Lyndon] Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and yet today freedom still needs to be met.”
Lynda Wise welcomed the program participants suggesting that next year’s March be bigger, grander because Martin Luther King gave his life for a great cause.
GAH youth dressed in their parade fatigues and bearing the flag led the audience in a patriotic salute as Joshua Manning sang a flawless and heartfelt rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Walter Smith, U.S. Air Force retiree and former city manager, recounted the occasion for the celebration noting that MLK died at age 39 from an assassins’ bullet nearly 47 years ago.
“We celebrate the life and legacy of a man who gave us hope and healing,” he said.
He also acknowledged the Carrera and GAH participants and staff as a huge part of the day’s celebration.
The seasonal saints dance team of Brenda Norris, Doris Moore, and Lou Davis Minter gave their stirring take of “Break Every Chain.”
Special tributes were given by Monticello City Councilman Cornell Williams and Board of Education member Bobby Norris. Mr. Williams reminded everyone that 2015 is an election year for city council and that the city needed support following a year when it had been hit hard losing the police department and longtime employee.
He said that he often feels alone in his quest to support the sector of the community that has supported him throughout his life. He stressed the need for the GAH because the kids do a wonderful job and need an outlet like the organization.
He hit home the reason for the program, “there are three days I just don’t work on no matter what: my birthday, Jesus’ birthday, and Martin Luther King’s birthday.”
Mr. Norris said he ran for BOE to help kids in the community and he soon realized that the board serves as policy makers not enforcers and that everyone must do their part from the teacher to the student to the parent.
“I was recently reviewing some test scores and they were abysmal. I’m not saying that test scores judge a man’s heart but there is something to be said for education.
He continued, “make kids be a part of the school system and you will care about it. Growing up participation was not an option for me when Lottie Norris said you were doing it—you were doing it.”
He told youth that were three things they could do in school if they did nothing else—dress up, sit up, and shut up. Dress up by putting on the proper clothes, sit up and pay attention in class and shut up and listen to the teacher.
Mr. Gibson offered remarks prior to Mr. Shareef’s re-enactment of MLK’s famed “Drum Major Instinct” sermon given on February 4, 1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. It was to be his last sermon before his assassination in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. King used this sermon to encourage his congregation to seek greatness, but to do so through service and love.
Minister Joseph Wheeler of Clayton County, speaker for the afternoon, described himself as a “country boy from Arkansas” who dropped out in middle school to later return and eventually enter the seminary where he studied alongside Pastor Calix.
He explained how the fight to honor MLK day in Clayton began in 1996 when three local political figures refused to allow marches until economic boycotts were implied.
“There will never be another Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Lincoln, or JFK. We can choose our paths though,” he said.
Mr. Wheeler noted how many have become preoccupied with acquiring worldly goods when everything in this world belongs to God alone from the earth to our minds. He said it hurts to see MLK’s own children fighting over their late father’s possessions.
Ms. Bell-Smith announced that the SCLC meets the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Springfield Baptist Church with the next meeting rescheduled for January 26.
Rev. Horton thanked all those in attendance and urged support of the community.
