This is the transcript of the address delivered by Mayor Belinda LaForce at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration of the Kensett Awareness Committee on Monday, January 18, 2010, Carmichael Community Center, Searcy, Arkansas.
Good evening, fellow citizens. It is indeed an honor and privilege to address you this evening as your key-note speaker. In reflecting about the significance of this special occasion, as we recognize the achievements of one of the greatest civil rights leaders the world has ever known, it humbles me. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man of great principles, whose promotional messages of freedom, dignity, equality and hope are still prevalent and vital messages today. We look back at the struggles and challenges he faced. His leadership style of non-violent, loving activism and persistence is certainly a challenge to us, to follow his direction and continue his passionate work, passing the torch from generation to generation. Martin Luther King, Jr. was committed to his cause and this day is meant for reflection, to help encourage equal rights for all Americans regardless of their background. He had a dream for One World – One Community. I would like to read one of his famous quotes that speaks to this: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and discovery.”
We face challenges and new discoveries daily. And clearly we need to develop much more sensitivity, responsibility and awareness. I believe there are four powerful tools we must use in order to accomplish this. I’m going to touch on the aspects and importance of Education, Information, Respect and Active participation.
1) Education is the most powerful weapon, which we can use to change the world. People with more education are more open towards cultural and ethnic diversity. Young people listen up! You have a role to play here. Young people are more open to diversity than all other groups. They have a special potential to find new and creative ways for needed change. And in order to accomplish this you must continue down the education pathway. We have new opportunities today to obtain scholarships and funding for continuing education. Parents and grandparents and community leaders need to provide encouragement to our young people and even beyond that develop mentoring relationships and offer assistance in funding to insure continuing education is a first priority in their lives. Education leads to understanding, and we gain knowledge of our history, language, & cultures. Understanding where we came from and a clear vision of where we need to be in our future and how to go about achieving success in those endeavors.
Governor Beebe has been stressing the importance in the partnership of Education and Economic Development. He has traveled around the state speaking on how education leads communities to new heights in providing a well trained, educated workforce to attract higher paying jobs within the state and our local communities. Example: Conway was able to recruit Hewlett Packard, a high tech corporation that needed access to a well-educated workforce (Conway has with three universities). Searcy is also fortunate to have Harding University and the Searcy branch of Arkansas State University, both well-respected universities for their excellence in education and assistance in finding jobs for their graduates. Arkansans need to wake up to the reality that education matters. We need to improve our high school and college graduation numbers and test scores. We have great school systems around the state and there is no reason why our students cannot compete on a national level. This means that we each have a responsibility to insure that our students have opportunities and the desire to continue the formal education process. It used to be that on-the-job training or the education of hard knocks was adequate, but things have changed over the last couple of decades. And not only the necessity of a college degree is prevalent today, but also achieving master or doctorate degrees are desired.
2) Information that is accurate and up-to-date is clearly valuable and increasingly becoming
more difficult, than ever before to discern its accuracy. With the internet, blogging, and real time mechanisms we all use – we can never be sure we are getting at the real source and truth, or being fed inaccurate accounts for factual ones. Obviously, media, as well as decision makers and community or religious leaders bear a high responsibility here. There is a verse in the Bible that speaks to that: “To those that have been given much, much is required.” So, how do we determine what is real or just “entertaining? That is the challenge today and we must individually take responsibility to get to the truth. We cannot always buy into what may be reported, most especially if it presents opinion and not based upon facts. Caution should be exercised when reading websites, blogs, opinion columns, tweets, Face-book articles, and so on. They can be very entertaining, but also dangerous and misleading, if taken out of context. So do your own research, ask questions of community leaders and those who are in positions to have the accurate information you need to make reasonable and deductive opinions for yourself.
Trust is an important factor in obtaining information. Politicians have really gotten a bad rap with this word. Who do we trust? How do we trust, positively or negatively? Should we trust? I believe we should trust with a certain amount of skepticism and discernment. Check motives of those you place your trust in – it’s usually obvious by actions as a follow up to words, if someone is trustworthy or not. Just giving lip service is easy, but following up with actions and intentional service is usually the defining moment of trustworthiness. For yourself, establish a solid foundation of trust and continually build the layers of trust by following through with truthful words and honest deeds.
3) Respect for every human being no matter what skin color, what language, what religion, or what culture. Let’s remove the barriers people! We were all created equal by God and for God’s purpose. So why are we so bent on establishing barriers in which to function? Unified in purpose and direction will accomplish so much more. Accepting diversity through the education and information processes brings understanding which results in respect. It also brings new ideas and change to the table – it broadens our horizons and ways of thinking. If we concentrate on others more and ourselves less we find that respect grows. The world we live in today is designed on selfish motivations. It’s all about what we can obtain, whether it is possessions, power, money or fame. The problems that flourish today I believe are a direct result from the lack of respect. Examples of today’s problems: all types of crime(theft, murder, kidnapping, bombings, attacks of anger), discrimination, abuse of all kinds (drugs, alcohol, physical abuse), litigation, lying, divorce- broken homes and families, homelessness, hunger, illness (depression-mental illness-physical illness). We see less and less respect exhibited in homes, schools, churches, and government, and less respect for parents, teachers, preachers, law enforcement officials and elected officials. The desecration of others reputations through lies, deceit, hatred, jealousy, and self-promotion is prevalent and the trail of destruction is wide and all-encompassing. Adults, parents & grandparents, we must teach and instill respect in our children from birth up. It’s a continual process and if practiced habitually it will become part of our persona. I believe, the lack of respect exhibited today, is bringing about our country’s downfall internally. It’s not too late to correct- I’m optimistic about that. But we must take our responsibilities as parents, teachers, preachers, and leaders of all types, seriously and put forth the effort that it will take to recapture respect.
4) Active participation & service should work hand-in-hand with education, information and respect. During the education process awareness of issues and needs become prevalent and you then begin to develop concern for others needs. With truthful and accurate information, you find what you need to help assist in determining how you can help make a difference. With respect and concern for others you find the desire and drive to become involved and through involvement you find yourself actively participating in the solution to problems or find an outlet for service. President Obama stated today when asked to comment on this special day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “This is a day to reflect on service. Each one of us should stretch out of our comfort zones to try to do something for others and reach and learn about things we shy away from and in doing so, changing people’s hearts and minds and changing out old habits, which may seem impossible. We should apply principles that are true. He completed his statement with a wish to every person to reflect on the extraordinary contributions that ordinary citizens can make, to make America the most hopeful country in the
world.”
According to a survey taken today on Headline News – when the question was asked, “Has Dr. King’s dream been fulfilled?” The American people responded 51% Yes – 49% No, with little or no difference in responses from different races. So there is still MUCH work to do. Let the legacy live on. We can make a difference, by educating ourselves, strive to be informed of the facts, show respect and concern for others and take positive actions. Active citizenship does work! There are many ways to become involved in the process. Just look around – there is plenty to do and many who need our help.
I would like to close this evening with a quote from one of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s favorite persons of influence, President Abraham Lincoln, from his 2nd inaugural address on March 4, 1865: (paraphrased)
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in . . . to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Thank you for your kind attention. May God Bless you all!