A Fitting Tribute
Community celebrates Dr. King and kicks off Black History Month
TEXARKANA, Texas — Tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King blended well with a celebration on the eve of Black History Month at Pecan Ridge Apartments Friday afternoon.
History, spirituality and pop culture enjoyment filled the apartment complex’s community meeting room as local clergy members, scholars and artists paid hearty tribute to the renowned and dynamic Civil Rights leader, lacing the event with recitation of America’s Black History in general.
Dr. Mary Adele Philips, a local actress, delivered some of her memories of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” Speech.
“I was just 8 years old, back in August of 1963 during that Civil
Rights March in Washington, D.C.” she said. “One year later, the Civil Rights Act became law. This isn’t because we are here by accident - it’s because of God’s foresight. By 1976 President Gerald Ford declared February as Black History Month.”
Bess Gamble-Williams, a local fashion model, encouraged both parents and children to take more pride in their appearance.
“If your kids see you sagging (trousers) they are going to sag too,” she said.
Vanessa Jackson-Fields, a local playwright, encouraged continuous pursuit of higher dreams.
“I grew up living in the New Town area of the city and I never knew what being rich was, but I knew what love was,”she said. “Never let your surroundings stop your dreams.” Barbara Stoker, pastor of the local Mount Sinai House of Prayer, said when she was growing up in Birmingham, Ala., she remembers churches being burned and people being killed.
“I was afraid to go outside. But as a woman pastor, I was called by God and on June 29, 2003, God asked me if I was ready to pastor a church,” she said. “It’s been 16 years and there have been difficult times the Virgin Mary carried the Lord in her arms for a while, I felt like women could at least preach for the Lord. It’s also good that we don’t live by color, but we live by heart.”
Pastor Johnny Riley, archbishop for Mount Orange Baptist Church, said those who desire to make history need to remember one thing.
“As history makers, we must remember that we first have to be risk takers,” he said. “We have to cause the waters to ripple. When God calls you to do something, do it in faith.”