Local ‘MLK 50’ plans shaping up

Local ‘MLK 50’ plans shaping up

Students, community invited to be a part of exhibition honoring King

news@theeveningtimes.com

The 50th anniversary of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassination will be marked in a very special way in West Memphis. Exhibits related to the shooting in particular and the civil rights movement in general will be on display in West Memphis.

More than 40 exhibitors have signed on. Students from Earle, Forrest City and West Memphis will take field trips to walk through the history. The event is titled “The MLK 50th commemoration celebration.” The theme for the week is “The Dream: Remember it, Live it, Share it, Celebrate it.” The schools students have already been working on essay writing and a mural contest to go along with the project. Markova Reed of WREG fame, and proud West Memphis Senior High School graduate will act as master of ceremonies and cut the ribbon to open the temporary exhibit.

“She is excited to be a part of this, saying it is important how a community rallies together to commemorate such an awesome man and the whole movement,” said organizer Keith Higgins. “

A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting will mark the grand opening from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 3.

The remembrances will be open to the public April 4-8 in the old boys’ gym at the Academies of West Memphis.

The display hall will be open to the public each day after school from 4 to 6 p.m.

Keith Higgins organized the commemoration and announced his hopes for the celebration week to West Memphis City Council. He pointed to the school participation and expressed hopes for an equally great community turnout.

“In partnering with the city and the Academies of West Memphis we have an opportunity to educate the community,” said Higgins.

“That’s what it’s all about.

We are excited to get a chance to cover Dr. King as well as the civil rights movement because knowing our past empowers our future.”

Higgins thanked supporters for the project including the school districts, the city, the Advertising and Promotions Commission, Jim Jackson and Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Delta Arts Center, State Farm agent Fred Leonard, Razorback Concrete, and State Senator Keith Ingram for their support and enthusiasm to make the exhibits honoring 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s a reality. He offered an observation about recent national events and hoped the commemorating experience would galvanize community unity. “Dr. King fought for what was right,” said Higgins.

“Now you see a generation of youth fighting for what they think is wrong. That is so powerful that we as a community can learn from.

We have already seen how weak we are when we are divided. Collectively create healing.

When thinking about civil rights. Many think that it was just totally blacks, and people don’t know we had a lot of help. The woman that first formed the NAACP was a white woman, the daughter of an abolitionist. We need to educate, educate. We did not get this far by ourselves, and nobody is going to go further unless we are together. Knowing your past does empower your future.”

Higgins expressed hopes for the future unity. The community enthusiastically stands as one around high school sports now but the event organizer envisioned more ties to bind the community. One of the national themes asks the question, “Where do we go from here?”

“We have come too far,” said Higgins. “We can’t afford an all or nothing activities based on race. When we travel to Hot springs for basketball we travel as community. As soon as you lose that total community focus then you have an unhealthy culture.”

Higgins indicated their were a few more exhibit booths available and be contacted to make arrangements or get further information at (870) 293- 9131 or Mrs. Shirley Higgins at (901)-647-1392.

By John Rech