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The dream, the legacy, and a challenge
Sponsored by the Dravitan Civic Club, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day event started at Clay Park in downtown Thomasville, where participants gathered to march to the church. "It's a time of celebration," said Rev. Clabon Autry. "I've lived through some hard times that I don't even want to remember. I want to remember (King's) work, what he achieved and what we need to accomplish." Helen Smiley Johnson told the audience it took strength to remember King as a faithful believer and to carry on his work. Charles Allen introduced his brother, Elder Jimmy Allen, the featured speaker by noting he was a graduate of Thomasville High School, an integrated school that he himself could not experience. "I saw some of the things Dr. King prayed for come to pass," he said. Jimmy Allen spoke to the audience saying there would be struggle and sacrifice to achieve your dreams.
Allen spoke of the hidden barriers, that even though different races may sit in the same classroom and work together on the job, things must go farther than that. "We should take it beyond standing side by side," he said. "You can stand beside me but have no love in your heart." He then spoke of his own dreams and struggles. "Everybody doesn't like your dream. Everybody doesn't celebrate your dream. But if you have a dream, you have to live for it. You have to believe in your dream. With that dream comes struggle." Quoting Biblical scripture of Jesus Christ's instruction to his disciples, Allen said the challenge is going out and continuing King's work and pushing the dream to reality.
The Dravitan Club expressed its appreciation to the Thomasville Police Department, Elder Jimmy Allen, Mayor Sheldon Day, the program participants and all who attended.
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