Banners adorning the walls of the Booker T. Washington Community and Recreation Center during Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Luncheon urged attendees to Remember, Celebrate and Act.”
Further driving the message home was the tagline above that: “A day on, not a day off.”
Both epithets played into the theme of this year’s luncheon, “Write the vision.”
As such, speakers referenced progress made and work yet to be done as well as the importance of the older generation passing the dreams and responsibilities of King’s message onto the younger generation.
A minister and leading light of the Civil Right movement of the 1950s and 1960s, King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. President Ronald Reagan, on Nov. 2, 1983, signed a bill creating a federal holiday in honor of King, which is now celebrated on the third Monday of each January.
The East Cleburne Community Center, as they have for several years, hosted the luncheon, which was attended by about 100.
The Rev. Patricia McWilliams delivered the invocation. Scanning the crowd of young, old and members of different races, McWilliams thanked God for bringing the crowd together to create unity from diversity, a reality of 2020 in many ways inspired by the long-ago efforts of King, his dream of racial harmony and equality and the struggles of the Civil Rights movement.
McWilliams concluded by asking God to help current and future generations carry on the work still unfinished.
Cleburne resident Peggy Cross followed to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” after which members of the audience sang the “National Negro Anthem.”
Dallas resident Dr. Lew Blackburn delivered the keynote address. An educator of 30-plus years experience, Blackburn has served multiple roles in Dallas ISD including music instructor, teacher, vice principal, principal and executive director of human resources.
Blackburn, who now works as a consultant, earned degrees in music and education from Texas A&M Commerce University and a doctorate in educational philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin.
Upon approaching the podium, Blackburn joked that the keyboard background music courtesy of the Rev. Kirk Cross was sure to make his presentation sound good. Blackburn further joked that he was trying to figure out whether to move about the room, like a Baptist preacher, or, like a Methodist preacher, stand in place. He opted for the latter in delivering his message of action.
Blackburn cited King’s famous “I have a dream” speech and King’s hope, among others, that society one day attains the benchmark where people are judged not by the color of their skin but rather the content of their character.
“Think of courageous acts during the Civil Rights March,” Blackburn said. “And of the continuing acts and struggles of the movement today.”
Blackburn went on to urge attendees to work to make a difference and to write their own dream.
“Thins of those courageous acts that happened during the Civil Rights movement,” Blackburn said. “Then think of things you can do today that would be considered courageous acts. Stand up and speak out against economic and racial segregation. Help those who are hungry and encourage our youth. Come out of your prayer room armed with the courage to act in a nonviolent way.
“Dr. King’s message was right yesterday, and is still right for our today.”
ECCC Executive Director Jean Pickett expressed delight with the crowd.
“I’m so happy to see so many young people here to pass the baton on to,” Pickett said.
Pickett too reminded of the ECCC’s many programs and services, programs that benefit children and elderly residents, provide a food pantry for all and others.
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