Locals unite for MLK celebration

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Barbara Criss (from left) sings along with Jackie Madison, Shaun Smith, Don Papson and Vivian Papson at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Community Celebration in Plattsburgh. Staff Photo / Kelli Catana
Kim LaReau (center) and Michele Armani introduce De'Andre Watson, who read two poems during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Community Celebration at the John XXIII College Community Parish (Newman Center) in Plattsburgh on Monday. Watson, 12, inspired by King, wrote the poems during the after-school program at the Ted K. Center in Plattsburgh. Staff Photo / Kelli Catana

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January 17, 2012

ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON Press-Republican The Press Republican Tue Jan 17, 2012, 05:47 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of freedom from the constraints of racial divides was realized Monday at the Newman Center in Plattsburgh.

There, people young and old, of different races and creeds, came together in harmony to celebrate the civil-rights leader's birthday and his message of tolerance.

The Martin Luther King Day Annual Community Celebration is sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, which seeks to promote King's beliefs in inclusion, justice and partnership.

"This day, from my perspective, is an opportunity for us all to step back and think about a great leader who has influenced all of our lives," said commission Chair Shaun King after the event.

"The opportunity to step back and study a man's life and his contributions reminds us of the things that we don't want to go back to and the things that we need to reinforce."

'A BETTER PEOPLE'

At times throughout the event, the audience of nearly 100 clapped and swayed to the beat of musical performances by Dr. Dexter Criss and the Community Choir and William Verity and the Plattsburgh High School Select Vocal Ensemble.

At other times, attendees listened quietly as speakers, including State Sen. Elizabeth Little, State Assemblywoman Janet Duprey and Rep. Bill Owens reflected on King's work as a civil-rights leader.

"He's remembered for all he has accomplished, not only for African Americans, but for all Americans," Little said in her remarks.

"We are a better country, we are a better people because of what he has made possible and because of his vision."

CODE OF ACTION

Owens commended North Country residents for keeping King's message alive by showing kindness to one another during difficult times.

"When I think about Dr. King's legacy and his message, I realize that I see folks living up to his code of action every day," he told the crowd.

As he has walked through area homes damaged by floods and visited area hospitals, schools and churches that continue to provide service despite budget cuts, Owens has been moved by the concern North Country residents have shown toward their neighbors.

"It is a fundamentally decent place with fundamentally decent people," he said of the region.

GOAL REMAINS FAR

But although great strides have been made toward civil rights in America in the last 50 years, the audience was also reminded of the discrimination that still exists.

"Every year, it seems more and more of Reverend King's dream disappears from our eyes," said keynote speaker Don Papson, a civil-rights activist who marched with King.

"He dreamed of a day when his children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. But today, Americans routinely assassinate one another's character."

Papson, president of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, gave terrorism, war, greed, sexual abuse and political gridlock as examples of Americans not living up to King's dream.

'LEARN TO LOVE'

In addition, Duprey told the crowd that bullying is a form of discrimination that is very present in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as in colleges, workplaces and homes.

"We need to teach our kids bullying is discrimination.

"Anytime we degrade one person for another, for any reason, real or imagined, it's discrimination," Duprey said.

Also among the speakers was 12-year-old De'Andre Watson, a Stafford Middle School student who shared his own dream for the future of society.

"My dream for peace and justice is I would like to have no more killing and (for us to) be nice to one another, so we can get along without weapons and guns.

"If we be nice, no violence will happen anymore," Watson said. "We should learn to love."

Email Ashleigh Livingston at: alivingston@pressrepublican.com

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