Hundreds of people gathered at Chabot Community College in Hayward Monday night to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and how his legacy and work is still very much alive today.
Members of the community gathered at the Reed Lo Buffington Performing Arts Center, where a compilation of groups and prominent city figures professed the importance of King Jr.’s message on the day of his birth.
Freedom, equality and diversity, many in attendance said, are just a few examples of just how powerful an impact his contributions affect our society today.
Michael Sweeney, Hayward Mayor, acted as the master of ceremonies by welcoming those present and announcing the vast line up of performances.
Performances included Mt. Eden High School’s concert choir and jazz band, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School dance team, Hayward line dancers, and mime ministry Anointed Expressions, to name a few.
Ranging from dances to songs, as well as religious speeches and commemorations, the line of events expressed the many emotions members of Hayward’s ethnically diverse community felt when thinking of how King Jr.’s work affects their lives today.
“I see results of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy everyday at my school, as I see different colors and shades of students walk into my classroom, he would be proud,” said Mt. Eden High School concert choir director Ken Rawdon.
“I am forever grateful for Dr King’s legacy,” said Rawdon.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law as a holiday in 1983, fifteen years after his death and holiday observance officially began on Jan. 20, 1986.
In 2000, all 50 states began to celebrate the holiday.
The chief spokesman during the Civil Rights Movement was assassinated Apr. 4, 1968 and 44 years after his death, Monday night’s event showcases, many said, how alive and prominent King Jr.’s memory is in the community.
Deverie Andrade, a worker at Chabot for 13 years, reflected on the celebration for MLK Day.
“It shows us how time has changed, it shows the freedom we all have today that everyone is entitled to, and that everyone is allowed to do whatever they please,” she said. “I also think Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s greatest message was to keep your head up no matter what and stay true to yourself.”
As Reverend Tommy E. Smith Jr. from Palma Ceia Baptist Church recited “I Have a Dream” the audience began to cheer and applaud.
The event ended with the audience singing in union Stevie Wonder’s version of “Happy Birthday,” a powerful moment for many attendees to remember the birth of the influential and timeless leader.
“It feels good to show my pride without having to worry about anything, feels good to know that there is freedom,” said Anointed Expressions member Jason Wilson.
Cosponsored by Hayward South Alameda County National Association for the Advancement Colored Peopled (NAACP), Chabot Community College in conjunction with the City of Hayward, the event in the end had many individuals from different backgrounds rejoicing together as they left the theater.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day through the event gives us a chance to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and to be grateful for the great contributions he has given the world.
“Freedom to express myself, be open minded, honest, and being able to help children and elders is all possible because of what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for so many years ago,” CSU East Bay alumna Dorothea Harrell said.
“It’s beautiful to see his legacy still alive today,” she reflected.
