|
Banquet held to honor King By LaNasha Houze As the price for the autographed Dallas Stars pendant continued to grow at an auction, the anthology of the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” rested at the minimum bid. During an event dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a diverse nation, participants valued sports memorabilia more than the historical significance of an anthem that transcends black culture. At Saturday’s 16th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. “Living Dream” Celebration and Youth Awards Banquet, people gathered from the community to celebrate King’s contributions and acknowledge the need for additional changes in society. ecause King defined diversity not only by geography and race but also by education, the candlelit dinner and presentation focused on the importance of keeping King’s dreams alive. Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr said the observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day means more than just a break from school or work. “We speed through life and don’t stop to think about things that are truly important,” Barr said. “Before this banquet, I did. We exist in a world where racism and economic division still exist.” Proceeds from the banquet benefited the Tarrant County Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship fund. TCU supported the banquet in an effort to recruit potential leaders in the community.
“Young people who don’t have the background or knowledge need the extra help,” said Cornell Thomas, special assistant to the chancellor for diversity and community. “TCU is part of a greater community.” The Tarrant County Minority Scholarship fund coincides with TCU’s Community Scholars Program, which recruits from Fort Worth Independent School District high schools with a high percentage of underprivileged students. Sheron Patterson, the keynote speaker, discussed the need for the community to hold itself to a higher standard in relationships and to love one another. “The key to King’s success was that he transformed the world and became a leader who depended on his strong spiritual base and strength to love,” Patterson said. Yetunde Ishola, an R.L. Paschal Senior High School student, said she believes people can still improve their relationships with different races.“My dream is that all children be taught to appreciate different religions, families, cultures, races and, most of all, heroes,” she said. Thomas said he hopes TCU will work toward this vision. “Our nation says that it stands for treating everyone equal,” Thomas said. “King’s birthday reminds us that work still needs to continue.” LaNasha Houze
|
