Written by Amanda Coers – The theme for the 5th annual Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade was “Keeping the Dream Alive.” Local citizens along with city and civic leaders gathered to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in Brownwood. As a prelude to the ceremony, the annual parade began at 10 a.m. starting at the Bennie Houston Community Center and ending at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza at the intersection of W. Austin and W. Commerce in Brownwood.

“Five years ago we started this parade, and every year we want it to grow and grow,” said Brownwood City Councilman Draco Miller, founder of ROC.

Brownwood Councilman Draco Miller (in purple) marching in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

“Our main focus, along with honoring Dr. King, is to bring all ethnicities together. It’s not about color, it’s about brothers and sisters. We’re different, but we shouldn’t be afraid to get to know each other just because we’re different. Because once we get to know each other, we can walk hand in hand in fellowship and continue Dr. King’s dream,” said Miller.

 

After the parade, the ceremony began with an opening invocation offered by Lajon Miller, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Joe Young, Brownwood Independent School District Superintendent. Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes followed Young’s welcome with a call for open dialogue within the community, free from fear.

“Our lives begin to end the day that we become silent about things that matter,” Mayor Haynes began his address, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes speaking at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza

Mayor Haynes then gave a confession, “I’m afraid. I’m scared the words I might say could unintentionally offend members of the audience today. I’m tired of being afraid. Because fear leads to silence. And so we say nothing at all about the things that really matter.”

Mayor Haynes then made a pledge in honor of Dr. King. “We cannot continue to remain silent. We cannot continue to be afraid. Let’s make 2017 the year that we kill the fear and begin an open dialogue to improve race relations in Brownwood.”

Following Mayor Haynes’ remarks, a musical tribute was offered by Herbert Colbert and company. The quartet sang, “Staying in God’s Will.”

Master of Ceremony, Jodie Miller, invited Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill, Early Police Chief David Mercer, and Brownwood Assistant Chief of Police James Fuller, to offer a few words, calling them “the backbone of our community.” Each head of local law enforcement pledged never to tolerate racial injustice within their departments.

Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill and Early Police Chief David Mercer

The Reverend Eddy R. Hayes then offered a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his address, Reverend Hayes began by sharing a passage from the Gospel of Mark in the bible, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

“One of the great truths about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is that he promoted the concept of brotherly love,” said Reverend Haynes. During his remarks, Reverend Hayes also said “Real love is identified by the actions that it prompts. We show love by the action that we take.”

Reverend Eddy R. Hayes addresses attendees on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The Reverend Hayes denounced violent acts committed in the recent civil unrest nationwide.

“Last year, we followed a wave of violence across the nation. There are many who believe that ‘Black Lives Matter’ is a racist statement, because it seems to suggest that other lives don’t matter. Perhaps the decree of the Black Lives Matter movement could be better understood if the outcry stated ‘Black Lives Matter Too.’ Let’s change the conversation. Black Lives Matter Too suggests that we are all God’s children.”

“But there is a disparity somewhere,” continued Reverend Hayes. “We are extremely upset that some in anger are targeting police officers and shooting them indiscriminately. We are upset when the lives of our children are taken by terrorists in France, and the LGBTQ community attacked in Florida, the lives of the tourists taken in Munich. Our hearts ache for them, because we love everyone. And all lives matter.”

As he closed, Reverend Hayes reminded the community that, “every person matters to God, and He loves them all.”

Audio of Reverend Eddy R. Hayes’ address can be heard here: