A crowd of approximately 250 citizens from Brownwood and the surrounding area came together Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to remember the inspiration of his life and accomplishments for people of all races, ages, and socioeconomic levels.
The event started with a march and parade from the Bennie Houston Recreational Center to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza at the corner of W. Austin and W. Commerce where a ceremony was held with words of encouragement for citizens to live the dream of King, to discover unity and equality and to never give up on dreams.
King said in his famous I Have a Dream Speech, “I dream of a day when my four young children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He fought for equality for all, not just the black community and for this reason; Gladys Bryant spoke of how we today are beneficiaries of King’s work and legacy.
“To me, we are all beneficiaries of Dr. King and every individual who stood beside him, those that marched, sacrificed, shed blood, shed tears and even fought to pave the way for me to enjoy the America that I am experiencing today,” said Gladys Bryant, president of the Friends of Bennie Houston Recreational Center. “It means everything to me as a black woman, as a woman, as an American, and as a human being. Dr. King’s legacy means to be willing to risk everything you hold dear to accomplish something that you believe in.”
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes read the proclamation issued at the Brownwood City Council naming Monday, January 21st as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Brownwood. Area pastors including Pastor Cole Grove, Bishop Aaron Blake, and Fernando Hernandez offered prayer and gave inspirational speeches outlining King’s work for living the dream of equality and unity throughout the nation.
The theme of unity was expressed by many speakers including Jodie Miller, Bishop Aaron Blake and Councilman Draco Miller in words of encouragement for the community to continue to build unity, by continuing to work together to build a better future.
Jodie Miller stated that he was pleased at the turnout for the event, and that he felt King would have been pleased as well.
“I think Dr. King would have been pleased. I see young, older, black, white, brown – I see a cross section, this is America. It’s not about being a Democrat or Republican, it’s about bleeding red, white and blue,” explained Jodie Miller.
Rev. Blake read a tribute to King, outlining his life and the I Have a Dream Speech, given 50 years ago in 1963. After King’s assassination on April 4, 1968, an effort began to establish a national holiday in King’s honor, so that his work and accomplishments would be remembered for years to come. This holiday was later signed into federal law in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan.
“He led America in the change of its course on how it related to issues concerning race and equality,” said Blake.
Special music was provided as the Brownwood High School Band played the Star Spangled Banner, the Cowboy Church sang one of King’s favorite hymns, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, and Change is Going to Come was sang a capella by Herbert Colbert.
The ceremony was hosted by the Friends of the Bennie Houston Recreation Center and refreshments were provided by Steve’s Market and Deli. City councilman Draco Miller thanked the audience for their participation and charged them to make this a continuing and growing event for years to come.
“My heart is filled, Dr. King would be happy, very pleased,” said Councilman Miller. “This is the dream. We have accomplished the dream. There’s no hatred here, no bickering here, we have all come together for peace and unity.”
Please see video and photo gallery of the event below.
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