Dr. King said in his famous I have a Dream speech, ” I have a dream–where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.”
This weekend the city of Bowling Green honors Dr. King with guest speakers, music from the civil rights era and video presentations in hopes of reminding people to reflect on King’s legacy.
The 14th Annual Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Friday is free and will be held this Friday January 17th at 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Both identical sessions are to be held at City Council Chambers, City Administrative Services Building, located at 304 N. Church Street.
“The most important reason is to ensure that Dr. King’s death was not in vain. Its just an opportunity to indulge in one’s self interest rather than reflecting on the importance,” Dr. Jack Taylor said. Taylor is an assistant professor in the ethic studies department at the University.
“We’re asking for a moment of reflection,” said Taylor. As America prepares to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day this Monday, one young boy reflected on what King’s famous “I have a Dream” speech means to him.
“Dr. King’s I have a Dream speech means that when all cultures join, no matter what skin color or country they’re from, they can be together,” Orange said.
He said that on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day he wants people to join hands from different cultures and not be prejudice.
“Don’t be prejudice, don’t be arrogant, don’t be ignorant. People won’t like you if you’re prejudice and you won’t be happy,” Orange said.
His mother, Stephanie Orange said, “It’s a proud day, a mark for people of color everywhere. Dr. King just didn’t strive for rights for just black, but everybody to be treated equally.”
Bowling Green City officials are urging people to attend King’s tribute events.
“Some cities in Ohio aren’t doing anything to commemorate King. We wanted Bowling Green to be one of those cities that is paying tribute to Dr. King.” Taylor said.
A Continental breakfast will be offered Friday. It is sponsored by the Bowling Green Human Relations Commission in conjunction with the Office of the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce 2.
The event Friday offers scheduled speaker, Toledo Mayor Jack Ford and a video presentation consisting of King’s I have a Dream speech, followed by music from King’s era.
“We want to get as many people involved as possible,” Taylor said.
For those that can’t make it on Friday, a Sunday evening tribute is scheduled at 7 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located on Conneaut Avenue.
The Sunday tribute features speaker Marshall Rose, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Immigration services at BGSU.
“We are striving for the eradication of injustice, we want to strive towards that in his honor and strive towards ending inequality and injustice towards all Americans,” Taylor said. “Our mission is to bring Dr. King’s dream into reality,” Taylor said.