Honoring MLK
January 20, 2016
Each year, the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice sponsors a celebratory dinner honoring the memory of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s event was held on Monday, Jan. 18, and was the 29th annual dinner of its kind. For each year’s dinner, a theme is selected to frame the focus of the event. This year’s theme was called “Silent No More” and was based around a famous quote from King,
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”
Past themes included: “The time is always right to do the right thing,” “Drum major of Justice and Peace,” and many others.
The agenda of the celebration included performance poetry, the announcing of the 2016 MLK Holiday contest winners, a speech given by 2016 Oratory contest winner Makia Peyton, videos and polling questions on racial issues, and two featured speakers: Jocelyn Benson, and Rev. Tyrone Martin. All items on the agenda contributed to the idea that individuals should speak out when they witness injustice, even if it is not directly related to us. Like King once said,
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects us all indirectly.”
Eastland Middle School Principal Major Mickens has attended the annual Martin Luther King Dinner for the last 8 years. “I feel this is an outstanding event. It is important for Macomb county to recognize the accomplishments of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Each year I am amazed at the level of artwork, poems and speeches that the students of Macomb County Schools students create for the contest. It is important for the next generation to not lose sight of the lesson learned for the past.” Mickens said.
The celebration served as a reminder of all that Martin Luther King Jr. stood for, and truly was a touching experience for those in attendance. As each year passes, and the legacy of King is another year distant, the challenge is to remember what he stood for, and the need to continue the work he began more than 50 years ago.
Rev. Michail T. Curro • Feb 4, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Thank you Morgan for a wonderful overview of our recent MLK Holiday Celebration and for your own personal commitment to embracing diversity and reducing bigotry, discrimination, and hate.
An annual goal of our event is to pass on the legacy of Dr. King’s dream and work to the next generation. You’re accepting the mantle of servant leadership and our not keeping silent.
Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Michail Curro, ICRJ Executive Director
Madonna Van Fossen • Feb 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Nicely written article. Kudos to the author.