Martin Luther King

Manning community celebrates MLK

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91 years ago on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. A Baptist Minister and Social Activist, King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death in 1968. His leadership was fundamental to that movement’s success in ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States. King rose to national prominence as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which promoted nonviolent tactics, such as the massive March on Washington (1963), to achieve civil rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

To honor his leadership and drive to achieve equal treatement for his fellow African Americans, January 15th has been designated as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day across the nation. 

To celebrate this day and his legacy, The City of Manning and CCNN TV hosted “Together Advancing the Dream,” a series of presentations from leaders in Clarendon County. 

The first of these leaders was Reverend Darrell A. James, Senior Pastor at Orange Hill Independant Methodist Church. James welcomed viewers and introduced the speakers. 

“While the pandemic has impacted us socially and physically, it has not spiritually,” said James. “So, as people of faith, we are continuously led by the inspiration of and the motivation of Dr. King to overcome.”

After James was finished, Dr. Brenda C. Clark sang a selection, followed by City Administrator Scott Tanner, who delivered the Invocation. After another selection by Clark, Senator Kevin L. Johnson delivered a speech. 

“The City of Manning is to be commended for taking time this year, as they do every year, to celebrate the life of the remarkable Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.,” began Johnson. “I am thankful that I have the opportunity to speak at this occasion.”

Johnson spoke on how King inspired him personally, as well as the life of the great leader. 

“I say that he is a remarkable human being because he accomplished so much in just 39 years on this earth,” said Johnson. “Dr. King was born in 1929 and died in 1968; those were dangerous and turbulent times, especially for black people. He fought, bled, suffered, lost much, and finally, he made the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to make sure that all men were indeed created equally, and to make sure that all men could enjoy the freedom and the liberties  that were guaranteed to them by the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Johnson was proud to see how far things had come since the Civil Rights movement, but left with a caveat. 

“It seems that in the last few years we have come full circle,” said Johnson. “Although this is 2021, it is almost like we are back to 1950 in some areas.”

After Johnson came City of Manning Mayor Julia A. Nelson who also spoke on the life and legacy of Dr. King. 

“This year, we can’t come together as we normally do,” said Nelson. “However, I do believe that better days are coming. You know, Martin Luther King had a dream, and I too have a dream. I dream for one America; not a white America, not a black America, not an Asian America, or any other race. Just one America.”

Nelson gave way to one final song selection by Clark before the presentation was over.

Editors Note: The Manning Times would like to thank the CCNN TV Team for broadcasting this event. This story would not be possible without them.