Media Fellowship House lauds MLK’s legacy
MEDIA » The Media Fellowship House 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration was as fresh as the dozen children playing in Media Elementary School’s Chimes Choir; as spirited as performer Deborah Billups’ vocal ode to King; and as current as today in keynote speaker Laurie L. Levenson.
The elements meshed for an entertaining, uplifting and challenging afternoon presented at First Church Media. Beth Israel Music Appreciation Society created the tuneful atmosphere as the pews were filled. As the altar guests entered, Billups, accompanist Joel Lenderman and the audience intoned “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
Greetings were made by MFH president Robin Otto; Media Area Branch NAACP President James Mason; and Mayor Bob McMahon, on behalf of Media Borough. Laurie Ann Rookard, pastor of the host church, gave the invocation.
Yeadon resident Billups created a “mini-cabaret” performance of song and story. She linked several musical numbers together with heartfelt observations on King’s contributions to society. “I can feel your spirit in this place,” Billups said of King, opening with “Feeling Good” and closing with “I Believe I Can Fly.”
The altar had a special exhibit with the launch of the Martin Luther King Spirit Hall of Fame.
Artist George Rothacker created 12 posters with the images of the inaugural class of individuals who exemplify King’s characteristics. This initiative will serve as an inspiration for study and reflection on qualities such as courage, integrity, honesty, leadership and loyalty. Plans are being developed to use the images and accompanying biographies for educational purposes, and bring a wider audience to the understanding of King, his mission and his life.
That understanding seemed present and comprehensive by Laurie Levenson, professor at Loyola Law School of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A former federal prosecutor, Levenson has been a legal commentator on many high-profile cases. She has taught for decades, reaching more than 10,000 students, and is the founder of the nonprofit Loyola’s Project for the Innocent.
Levenson talked about her upbringing in urban Los Angeles, and cited — as a defining experience — living through the LA riots following the Rodney King incident.
“That shook us to the core,” she said of her community, strongly noting more recent urban upheaval.
“I am not politically correct,” Levenson said, setting the stage for a fascinating blend of King’s basic principles and today’s climate coming from national leadership. “What would Dr. King do? And what are we going to do?”
“We walk together. We may have come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now,” Levenson said, her address often using King’s words. “I’m horrified by what the president said, demeaning people. More troubling is that (his statements) are based on falsehoods.”
An academic at heart, Levenson quoted statistics, stating immigrants have a higher education rate than American citizens as a whole. Levenson often turned to the youngsters sitting patiently for their chimes performance.
“How many of you go on the internet,” she asked them. All hands rose. “How many of you know not everything you read on the internet is not true?”
Evoking King’s view that “a lie cannot live,” Levenson said, “Lying has now become a sport.”
Levenson related several other King principles: love is the only force capable of turning an enemy into a friend; whether you run or walk, you must keep moving; human progress requires sacrifice and courage is an inner resolution.
On the matter of “injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere,” Levenson cited voting as a critical action. She struck a chord close to a local matter which has gotten national attention: gerrymandering. She said some courts, now considering the issue, have found the practice of moving voting boundaries for political gain unconstitutional. The comment got applause from the audience, aware of that situation regarding Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.
“The two most import characteristics are humility and gratitude,” Levenson said, reaching the 10th principle. She quipped it was likely King never referred to himself as “a stable genius.”
“I am grateful but not satisfied. This is much more to do; now more than ever. There is a saying in Judaism which (translated) says ‘Justice, justice you shall pursue.’ No one can do it alone.”
In giving the closing benediction, Rabbi Jeremy Gerber of Congregation Ohev Shalom was strongly moved to include a Muslim poem he had just heard which spoke eloquently that one can pray for what one wants and receive what one needs.
All of those in attendance closed with “We Shall Overcome.”