King marchers carry the dream
“Any time that there’s negativity in the news, in any situation, you can see the positivity in our community.” Rashawnda Ogwel
A south-city pastor used the Martin Luther King Jr. March in downtown Phoenix on Monday as a backdrop for a rap video urging listeners to “stay woke.”
Leading a crowd of hundreds and then thousands, Pastor Warren Stewart Jr. rapped the lyrics as beats blared from a speaker.
The rap, also titled “Stay Woke,” is a civil-rights anthem of sorts and touches on topics like police brutality and systemic injustice in the criminal-justice system.
Stewart, 39, said he pictured the video being filmed during a real street demonstration when he wrote it in late 2017. Stewart said he wanted to capture the energy of the movement, not just have a “point-and-shoot” type of video.
A cameraman shot at least three takes, which will include a sea of people — of all demographics — taking to the streets.
“I need a march. I need a sea of people for that optic — that was the first thought that came to my mind,” he said.
Stewart said he got permission to shoot from Phoenix’s MLK Day committee.
Some in the crowd danced along and began chanting the lyrics as they learned them. It was the first time the song had been performed in public and is an original by Stewart.
He’ll be releasing the video in February.
Thousands of people join in
The march itself drew somewhere between 4,000 to 5,000 people during its two-mile stretch, according to police officials. It began at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on 14th and Jefferson Streets and snaked up to Margaret T. Hance Park at Third and Moreland streets to begin a daylong festival.
For some of its participants, the march took on a deeper meaning this year amid what they see as heightened racial tensions across the country.
Rashawnda Ogwel said she and her husband have been attending the march for the past eight years together, as well as separately before that. Together, the couple toted their three young boys.
“I definitely believe that the movement is the same, the honor behind it,” she said. “We stand stronger and stronger each and every day.”
What stood out to her this year was the media attention on racially charged incidents.
“Any time that there’s negativity in the news, in any situation, you can see the positivity in our community,” she said.
Progress, but a lot of uncertainty
Phoenix City Councilwoman Kate Gallego, who led the march part of the way, noted that this year was also the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Gallego said current, national issues like the debate over DACA, racial tensions and the war on poverty made this year’s march more meaningful.
“We’ve made a lot of progress in Phoenix, but there’s also a lot of concern as to where we’re going as a country right now,” she said.
The march drew families, friends, couples and individuals, with ages and races spanning all demographics. Perhaps the largest organized group came from USAA, an insurance company that serves the military and their families.
Greg Debernard, regional vice president of USAA’s Phoenix office, said there were more than 400 employees marching with USAA in Phoenix alone. Branches from across the country did the same.
Debernard said there wasn’t one particular civilrights issue the group was championing; instead, the company marched for the type of diversity and inclusiveness it strives for.
“Today we’re marching for Martin Luther King Jr., and our core values and what we believe is important,” he said.