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It could have easily been mistaken as a Sunday morning worship service Monday as the community gathered to celebrate the birth of one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born on Jan. 15, 1929, dedicated his life to world peace and nonviolence action as well as equal treatment among the races. Since his death, King’s work has been past on from generation to generation in communities across the Houma-Terrebonne area.
Every year on Jan. 15, the Terrebonne Parish chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) gather to celebrate King’s birth and his accomplishments in African American history.
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu made a stop at the function, offering a more local view of King’s importance.
“Although Dr. Martin Luther King didn’t march for levee protection, he would have been angered by insurance companies that refuse to pay policyholders and he would have been angered by the lack of the federal government’s attention to those who were victimized by hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” she told the crowd at Dumas Auditorium.
Following the event, the senator elaborated on Congress’ recent split on support for the war in Iraq.
“Enough money has been spent on the war. It’s time to turn attention back home to bring out troops home as soon as possible and to take care of the needs in the country as well as in Louisiana,” she said.
Monday’s program began with words of encouragement from the Rev. Jamison Harris, one of the youngest figures on the speakers’ panel. Harris is a member of the Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Houma.
“It is up to each and every one of us to carry out Dr. King’s dream and keep his legacy alive,” Harris challenged the audience.
Mount Zion Baptist Church Male Chorus sung a combination of inspirational songs of praise.
Terrebonne Parish NAACP chapter president Jerome Boykin Sr. said that together community members and community leaders could continue to advance African Americans in Terrebonne Parish.
Terrebonne Parish Superintendent Ed Richard called upon the parish as a whole to continue to mentor and motivate African American youth so that they will grow up to be prominent community figures.
Speaking on behalf of the Terrebonne Parish School Board, District 2 representative Gregory Harding directed the parents and neighbors of African American students to become more involved in the education and well-being of today’s youth by nurturing them to success.
One-by-one the elected officials representing Terrebonne Parish including the council members and state legislators stepped up to the podium to offer views on the importance of the day. Speakers included state Sens. Butch Gautreaux, Reggie Dupre Sr., Rep. Gordon Dove Sr., Councilman Alvin Tillman of District 1 and Councilwoman Arlanda Williams.
Guest speaker the Rev. Noah Smith, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church and Rock of Ages Baptist Church, compared African Americans to the legendary story of Rip Van Winkle where Winkle journeys into the mountains and fell asleep during the time when “the country was yet a province of Great Britain.” He said the minority culture in Terrebonne Parish is “sleeping in dangerous times.”
As the panel offered words of encouragement, the praises of a better tomorrow came down. The 150 or more residents voiced “Amen” and “Preach-on” to the prominent figures that stood before them.
Sophia Ruffin can be reached at sophia@tri-parishtimes.com.
