Monroe mayor speaks to Junction City community
Mayo: ‘We must motivate and cultivate our youth’
JUNCTION CITY — Monroe, Louisiana Mayor James Mayo used his faith and personal accounts to encourage Junction City students and community members to acknowledge the past while planning for a thriving future.
Mayo started his speech with the story of a young, mischievous boy who grew up in a “shotgun house.” After his parents separated, the boy and his siblings were raised by his mother, a devout Christian, he said.
“As the little boy grew up, the little boy wanted to make something out of his life. He didn’t know if he would, but he was able to go to college … and went into business,” he said. “Eventually, this little boy who’d become a young man, graduated from college.”
After graduation, the young man worked in the business sector and later in politics. During his first campaign for public office, he failed, Mayo said.
“…but on October 20th, 2001, that little boy who was mischievous, who was bad, who had grown up to be a young man … became the mayor of the city of Monroe,” he said. “What I’m saying to you is 'I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.' It doesn’t matter what (the youth) are going through right now. It doesn’t matter what’s happening each and every day, they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them.”
The program’s theme was a quote that said, “While living in the present, we must remember the past while planning for the future.” He referenced historical figures like Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and W.E.B. DuBois before shining a light on revered civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Mayo said that he had the pleasure of meeting Xernona Clayton, “a special assistant to Dr. King.” Clayton, a 4-foot-11-inch tall woman, told the mayor that King was only a few inches taller. “In addition to being a prankster, she said as his special assistant she had the responsibility to take him to the airport when he went to Memphis. At that time, Mrs. King did not drive so (Clayton) went to pick up Dr. King,” he said. “She said as Dr. King was leaving his home to get into the car with her, the kids were just jumping all over him … all over the car. Dr. King said, ‘My kids have never reacted this way before … When I get back from Memphis, I’m going to spend more time with my kids.”
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, where he traveled to support sanitation workers who were on strike. He used this story to say that “it takes a village to raise a child.”
“The dreamer died in Memphis, Tennessee, but the dream is still alive,” he said. “We need to take some time to teach our kids about the good old days. We need to teach them that our ancestors were kings and queens … We need to teach them about the millions of slaves who died during the Middle Passage.”
Mayo said that parents should teach their children about black history, especially stories about their own families’ trials and triumphs.
“In order to thrive in the present day, we must first acknowledge the past. We stand on the shoulders of those who’ve come before us, so let us all keep them in mind as we enjoy the many privileges that we have today,” he said. “Let’s recognize the men and women of color, who, with the help of God and community, have ascended to positions of honor, also of authority today.”
He challenged the Junction City community not to become divided, work together and support those who need help. The mayor said that providing a good education and helping students “weed out bad influences” can lead them to a bright future.
“Thank God for teachers … They develop, they mold, they educate, they inspire,” the mayor said. “It all starts with a seed of inspiration. We must motivate and cultivate our youth to set goals for life.”
Brittany Williams may be contacted by email at bwilliams@eldoradonews.com. Follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook @BWilliamsEDNT for updates on Union County school news.