MLK-Day March celebrates diversity, unity
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

THE MARCH THROUGH JASPER was followed by a program in the JHS gym.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day program at the Jasper High School gym Monday, Jan. 21, celebrated the accomplishments of the civil rights movement and the continuing relevance of King's messages of unity, peace and non-violence.

Walter Diggles said King taught by example, "service that radiantly defined Dr. King's character and transcended race and nationality, by asking the persistent question, what are you doing for others?"

Kenneth O. Lyons, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, introduced the keynote speaker, Father Ron Foshage of St. Michael's Catholic Church. Lyons noted that Foshage was one of the leaders who helped tear down the fence that separated the black and white sections of the cemetery after James Byrd Jr. was buried.

Foshage said he has participated in the MLK parade for the past 20 years, but after joining the NAACP and reading the monthly magazine he has come to "a deepened respect for the African American leaders."

Foshage quoted Robert Kennedy at the time of King's assassination, when the senator announced, "I have bad news for you, for all our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world."

Newsboy photos/ Charles Kerr

Foshage continued, "What we need is not division... but love and compassion."

Foshage announced that he is on the planning committee that will observe the 10th anniversary of Byrd's dragging death this June.

"Our town could easily have erupted in violence then," Foshage said, "but it didn't because we had leaders of the quality of Dr. King and they were molded in the likeness of Dr. King."

He said the first thing that Lyons told the members of the Ministerial Alliance just days after Byrd's body was discovered, was, "My family is hurting, but we are not hating."

Foshage reminded the marchers, "If we are true to the civil rights movement, we will work toward a world where we are enriched by our diversity... We still have much work to do, but we have made progress, and I think Dr. King would say 'don't stop now' if he were here today."

Also on the program were Rodney Norsworthy, Harold Cauley, John D. Hardin, R.C. Horn, Barry Keys, Dr. Willie Brown, Booker T. Hunter, Alvin LeDay and Dorie Coleman.

Patsy Diggles and Booker T. Hunter were awarded lifetime membership in the NAACP. Herman Wright Jr. was recognized for his role in preserving black history through his organization, The Long Black Line.

Jasper Junior High Principal Mervin Cleveland took the opportunity to remind parents to get involved with their children. "If you can get them to football games and basketball practice, then you can get them to the tutorials they need to pass the TAKS test the first time," Cleveland said.