by Vanessa Kirby
A breadth of ages and a variety of different faces came together to celebrate the life, work and achievements of Dr Martin Luther King Junior on Monday 17th January in Pitsmoor.
Our celebrations were organised to coincide with those celebrating in the USA – for whom it is a national holiday. We were encouraged to share our own experiences of racism and consider the effects of racial injustice. We read quotes from King’s own writings, shared some food together, watched video clips and were led in singing a civil rights activist song from the 1960s.
The real beauty of the evening was that we each had our own unique insights to offer to the gathering which collectively echoed in one loud voice “They will not be judged by the colour of their skin!”.
We ended the evening with some sober words from the King’s last public speech before his assassination in 1968 – in the speech King expressed what he hoped would be said at his funeral.
If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s Martin Luther King Celebration on 16th January, then please contact Jeff Kirby on 0775 141 2664. by Vanessa Kirby
“I’d like somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King Jr, tried to love somebody, I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to say that day, that I tried to feed the hungry. And I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say that I tried to love and to serve humanity.”