‘We’re not there yet’ – NAACP honors Dr. King’s memory with a call to continued commitment

At 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, January 20, area clergy, citizens, Town and County elected officials gathered at the Villa Avenue Community Center for the annual Warren-Page County NAACP “Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Keynote speaker the Reverend Edward Dawkins struck a recurring theme of “We’re not there yet” in remarks delivered with humor – “Yes, I am white” Dawkins acknowledged to some laughter – but more pointedly with love and admiration for the work, words, prayers, devotion and sacrifice of the American Civil Rights leader assassinated prior to his 40th year in April 1968.

Keynote Speaker, Rev. Edward Dawkins – ‘Yes, I’m white,’ Dawkins acknowledged, noting that Dr. King’s legacy crosses all racial boundaries. Royal Examiner Photos/Roger Bianchini

That theme, oft repeated by Master of Ceremony Reverend James Starks – “Amen”; NAACP Chapter President Alford D. Carter III, among others, called on those present not to be “whiners” about our collective national, human and individual failures to reach that dream of Dr. King’s that every person in our nation, and even on our planet, be judged by the “content of their character” and of their soul, rather than on racial, ethnic and class stereotypes. Rather, those present and all committed to that common cause were asked to become more proactive in helping achieve the kind of human unity that sees beyond the kind of prejudices created out of ignorance and fear of the personal, cultural, even religious differences that mankind brings to the table.

Reverend Dawkins called on the clergy present to renew the type of joint worship across church, even particular denominational boundaries, that had been previously explored here with some success.

Rev. Alfred Woods led Opening Prayer, and late acknowledged guest dignitaries. While Woods works, event moderator Rev. James Starks checks on coming duties and introductions, which went well – ‘Amen!’

In his Benediction, another white clergyman, Bishop Vince McLaughlin, called King a prophet given by God to those committed both then, now and as long as need be, to the cause of human unity across racial, class and national boundaries. “And I say that in total, clear evidence in his prayers,” McLaughlin told those present. So fittingly, McLaughlin’s near the end of ceremony Benediction quoted at length from King’s own words of prayer.

“When you study somebody’s prayers, you get to their heart,” McLaughlin told the packed Villa Avenue Community Center meeting room. From his own religious studies and those of King’s life, McLaughlin also called the civil rights leader “a superb Biblical scholar” and “a brilliant practical theologian”.

Rev. Vince McLaughlin utilized Dr. King’s own crafted prayers in offering Benediction to the celebration of the civil rights leader’s life and work.

From two of Dr. King’s prayers, McLaughlin quoted, “We humbly confess that we have not loved thee with all of our hearts, our souls and our minds; and we also confess that we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us. We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulses, rather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed and evidenced in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We often give in order to receive. We are good at loving our friends and hating our enemies. We go the first mile but dare not travel the second. We forgive, at least we say we do, but we dare not forget. And so as we look within ourselves, we are confronted with the appalling fact that the history of our lives is a history of an internal revolt against You and Your principals …
“So finally, my Holy God, my Father, I commend to thee this intercession and pray that You would move mightily in us because we have self-inflicted and caused a distress in our minds and our bodies because we have not followed the mandate of love. Move mightily amongst us, renew within us a devotion to love unconditionally, regardless. And we bring this in the name and the spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

Elder Elizabeth Roberts showcased her own exceptional voice devoted to the Lord, and Dr. King’s memory, in two musical interludes.

The celebration of King’s life and work was punctuated by two gospel musical interludes led spectacularly by Elder Elizabeth Roberts; and a recorded closing of the Civil Rights Anthem “We Shall Overcome” saw hands joined throughout the crowd between black and white alike, swaying to that musically and lyrically expressed hope and dream that someday, we may as individuals, as a nation, and as peoples sharing one small planet among many in a universe of unknown diversity, find unity of spirit, rather than separation of purpose to selfish and fear-driven ends.

Rev. McLaughlin hugs Warren NAACP President A.D. Carter III following his Benediction taken largely from prayers crafted by Dr. King.

Rev. James Kilby shares a post-meeting moment with A.D. Carter III, seated holding cane due to recent foot surgery. To right, Letasha Thompson, standing, and Lori Athey Cockrell rising, represented the Town of Front Royal along with Mayor Eugene Tewalt and Gary Gillespie. County Supervisors Mabe, Cullers and Oates, Sheriff Butler and WCSO Community Resource Officer Robbie Seal were also present.

The crowd follows Elder Roberts in one of her two musical numbers.

Hands were joined in an emotional ‘We Shall Overcome’ closing

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