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King Day focus: pride of success
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK © St. Petersburg Times, published January 16, 2001 BROOKSVILLE -- As he tore the tape from the street sign, revealing the name Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, John Wallace couldn't conceal his glee.
"Well, we didn't let it go. We kept on asking," Wallace told the crowd of about 150 that gathered in Brooksville on Monday for the official sign unveiling and celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Brooksville City Council relented last year, renaming Summit Road after the civil rights leader. Annie Williams became supervisor of elections in November; she was the first African-American to win countywide election in Hernando County. And the local NAACP branch opened its first permanent office in more than three decades of activity. "We had people say you couldn't do anything in Hernando County," said Gregory Williams, an event organizer and former candidate for state representative. "I am so proud of our citizens" for these recent successes. "I'm happy." Even amid the festivities, however, hovered the recognition that more work remains to improve race relations in the community. Marchers noted they had to pass some of the most dilapidated buildings and invasive businesses on their way from the old county courthouse to the NAACP office, and that drug dealing remains rampant in the areas surrounding their neighborhoods and parks. Others complained that huge trucks roar down Martin Luther King Boulevard despite signs at each end banning such traffic. Words from King's I Have a Dream speech that the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to all had fallen short for African-Americans drew several "amens" from the crowd. And, as 11-year-old Jerica Redding noted with disdain, not many white people came. Maybe they're scared, she suggested, or maybe they "don't like this day." "It's 2001. We should close the gap, but it's not (happening)," said Alan Saxton, 40, who has lived in Brooksville his whole life. "You see some change, some for the good, some for the bad. We need to come together as a community, as one." About 75 people gathered on the old county courthouse lawn Monday morning as they waited for the MLK Day march. Children said they were excited and honored to take part in the event. "Martin Luther King set the black people and white people free," said Shawanna Frazier, 12. "We're celebrating for his birthday." Joshua Orendorf, 8, was one of the few white children in attendance. He said he thought everyone should unite regardless of race. He looked forward to the unveiling of the road signs. "I'm happy that they're making the road named after a good man," Joshua said. The group began walking east on Main Street, singing spirituals as they went. Dozens more -- kids on scooters and older people with canes -- joined the march as it moved toward south Brooksville. By the time they reached the NAACP office, the crowd had swelled to about 150. As NAACP local president Frankie Burnett recited Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech, representatives from the National Organization for Women circulated a petition urging President-elect George W. Bush to support civil rights. A few speeches later, Wallace and Brooksville Police Chief Ed Tincher inaugurated Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Then the event migrated to Kennedy Park for a picnic, playing and more speeches and prayers. The message remained the same. "Yes, we have come a long way. And, yes, some changes have been made," said the Rev. Wilbur Bush, pastor of First Baptist Church in Seffner, in his featured speech. "However, the struggle continues." He urged those gathered to take responsibility for improving the community, first and foremost by teaching the children to think. "If we fail to teach our children, all of us will never be free because they will continue to push all the things that will destroy us," Bush said. "Don't allow the south side of Brooksville to continue to go downhill. Let us compete in the struggle." The program ended with the anthem We Shall Overcome and a benediction. Families then remained in the park for picnics, games and socializing.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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