'You Gotta Be a Dreamer' to carry on King's Legacy

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. is just the first step. Those who remember, we are compelled to carry on his message of justice and equality, said several speakers at W

 “I am one of many who stand on the shoulders of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Sheri Cope, pastor of House of Favor Christian Church in Wentzville, told the crowd.

Wentville’s celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy Monday at Holt High School with a celebration titled ”

Keynote speaker William Jenkins recalled growing up in a nation tearing at itself, with the civil rights movement led by King.

“We remember him saying, ‘An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ We remember,” Jenkins said.

Those who remember must pass on the message, he said.

“It is very important that we remember, the older people start telling the younger people because the younger people think that life started when they were born,” Jenkins said, drawing a laugh from the crowd.

We also must to celebrate, Jenkins said.

“I know we all talk about how bad the Republicans are, how great the Democrats are and how mixed up the independents are,” he said.  “But we ought to celebrate, because you can go all over this planet, and there’s no place like this place anywhere in the world.”

King loved America, and he understood it was a blessing to be born in this country, he said.

But actions bring the dream into reality, he said.

“If there is injustice in your sight, you need to act. If there are kids who need mentoring, you need to act. If there is an elderly person who needs assistance, you need to act,” Jenkins. “If there are students being bullied at your school, and you don’t think it’s right, you need to act.”

King wanted people to act “even when it’s dangerous, even when it’s difficult,” he said.

“Gotta be a dreamer”

The event was resembled a worship session, which was fitting seeing as the honoree was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pastors led in prayer and scripture readings. The audience sang and musicians performed spirituals and hymns popular during the civil rights movement, such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and “We Shall Overcome.”

Master of Ceremonies Gary Boyd said the crowd itself was too spread out, and that “blacks, whites, Jews and Gentiles” should move closer together. He went out into the crowd to urge people to move down toward the front and integrate itself.

“You gotta be a dreamer,” Boyd told the crowd.

He urged the audience to turn their dreams into action.

“What about peace in our schools?” he asked. “If you keep the dream alive in your heart and your heart drives you, there isn’t anything you can’t do.”

Joseph Anderson Jr., of The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, recalled his favorite quote from Dr. King:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

He said during these challenging economic times—when jobs are endangered, home values drop. people can’t afford health care and the nation is in wars without focus or purpose—that our true characters are revealed.

“It is during these challenging times when we will discover if we have the heart, soul and generosity we say we have,” Anderson said. “Because the controversy and inconvenience that we begin to encounter during these times will expose the true character of our nation.”

For more photos, see "Wentzville's Martin Luther King Speakers Urge Us to Remember, Celebrate, Act."