‘Opportunity Knocks’
Hope punctuates MLK prayer breakfast
Amens, prayers and applause echoed from the walls of the Hot Springs Convention Center Saturday morning during the 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast.
More than 300 attendees enjoyed poem readings, musical interludes, prayers, a special dance by the Hot Springs School District Dance Troupe and words of encouragement from keynote speaker Carol Johnson, the executive director of Arkansas Fair Housing Commission.
“It takes prayer to erase the racism of our ancestors,” Elmer Beard, secretary and lifetime member of the Hot Springs chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Unit 6013, said during his opening remarks.
“Change starts with us, not with the next person, but what am I going to do, what can I do and what will I do,” the Rev. Jamar White offered in prayer before the meal.
Johnson, of Hot Springs, spoke on fair housing, her trailblazing experience as the first director of the only state civil rights agency in Arkansas, and the responsibility of civil engagement for all people.
“Our actions today will help secure our children’s future stability. We must strive to achieve greatness of character in a world that doesn’t always value honesty, integrity and virtue,” she said.
She closed with a self-written poem, “Opportunity Knocks,” which calls people to take advantage of the opportunities they are given.
Johnson said she believes daily participation in conversations about race and racial injustice is essential. She said people need to put action behind their words, find their ministry and own their talents.
“Don’t be a victim and don’t become a victim. Don’t sit on the sidelines and then be disappointed when you don’t see the results you expect to see,” Johnson said.
Johnson encouraged Hot Springs
citizens to get involved and support the community, suggesting organizations such as the NAACP, the state Urban League, the Webb Community Center and Webb House.
“Everyone works in civil rights. I don’t care what your area of work is — whether you know it or not, you’re part of civil rights, because everything that happens affects you,” she said.
She said her hope for the breakfast was for people to leave with renewed passion and spirit to make 2018 a powerful year.
The dance troupe performed an original piece to “Strange Fruit” by Nina Simon. Audible amens and reactions from the audience occurred during the performance. The piece will be part of the routine that the troupe will perform in Austria, Germany, and Italy in June when they travel with Young Tanzsommer.
The breakfast closed with a prayer from the Rev. Chester Jones.
Linda Franklin, chairwoman and president of the planning committee, said she was pleased with the attendance and to expect great things from next year’s breakfast, as it is the 20th anniversary of the committee. Franklin reiterated King’s quote, “Only darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”