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To honor the sacrifices--and the advances--made by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Springfield chapter of the NAACP hosted a series of morning events Monday.The themes were peace, education and equality.KSMU’s Matthew Barnes was there, and has this report.
[Standup:] I’m standing outside Drury University where hundreds of participants in the Martin Luther King Day events are funneling inside for a speech by Dr. Tererai Trent, who will be talking about her own life experience and present an award to several middle school essay contest winners.
[NATS Marching and Singing]
But before they even got to Drury, they sang and marched their way across the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge. The event was filled with tones of respect and hope as hundreds of participants welcomed Trent with song and dance.
Trent, greeted with a round of applause, gave her respects to the memory of Martin Luther King.
“Who would of thought a village woman from Africa would be here standing amongst you to celebrate this legacy. He was my icon. He was the king of kings in Africa. We remembered him. We grew up hearing his stories. He made women demand their rights. He made everybody demand their rights,” says Trent.
Growing up a girl in sub-Sahara Africa, Trent was raised to become a house wife and mother at a young age.
Forbidden to go to school, she would learn by doing her brother's homework.
“All I wanted was an education more than anything. Because I know that education is the main weapon that I can have to fight social injustice,” says Trent.
While Trent spread a message of hope, she also informed audience members of those in the world still fighting for chances to learn.
“As I stand in front of you today, 798 Million people cannot read and write. Oh yes, the struggle continues,” says Trent.
The focus on equality and education was something many in the audience took heed of. Gwen Marshall is a Cultural Diversity specialist for Springfield public schools, and a member of the local chapter of the NAACP.
“I feel like I was a late bloomer myself and she was a tremendous encouragement. And I enjoyed the word she gave to the young people,” says Marshall.
That word is "Tinongona," a term that means "it’s achievable."
While Trent and Marshall are parting ways, their feelings on the future of social equality remain similar.
“I’ve enjoyed every word that I’ve heard from here. It energizes me. It really shows that we are keeping up with the legacy, but as I said we still need to do more,” says Trent.
“I think that we are seeing some walls fall and barriers being removed. But we have to keep standing. And keep moving the direction of right and liberty and justice really for all,” says Marshall.
For KSMU News, I’m Matthew Barnes.
Matthew Barnes is a media production major at Missouri State University. Originally from Florissant, Missouri, he moved to Springfield for college and a change of environment. His hobbies include improv comedy and biking.
