Locals celebrate Dr. martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday

The jubilant faces of Portales students glowed as they sang shoulder-to-shoulder in the Portales High School Auditorium Monday, almost 50 years since civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech.

It was that speech that has been tied to freedom, equality and a movement that allowed those students of different backgrounds to sing together on that stage, let alone attend school together.

A crowd of nearly 200 people filled the PHS auditorium to continue "Celebrating the Dream," as they enjoyed musical numbers and speeches to recognize the civil right s leader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Prior to the start of the program, community members marched the streets of Portales from Eastern New Mexico University to the high school, mimicking the actions of the civil rights activists of the 1960's.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

The crowd at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Portales High School stood and faced the flag while student Amy Carter sang the National Anthem.

"The historical reference to that is the movement we symbolize," said Portales City Councilor Oscar Robinson. "They felt and needed to walk the streets because it was unjust for people of color."

Robinson also talked about the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and how far he feels we have come as a nation with President Barack Obama in office.

"In 1965, people walked the street just to have the right to vote," Robinson said. "Isn't it amazing in our lifetime the president of the United States is a man of color?"

Portales Church of Nazarene Pastor Johnny Pacheco said he was touched by Robinson's words because as a father, he's grateful his children do not have to live in a segregated world. Pacheco prayed with the crowd.

"I find it appropriate to look to God," Pacheco said. "The God we serve does not play favorites. He does not pick and choose who he loves so what on earth makes us think we can?"

After Pacheco's speech, the choirs of Lindsey-Steiner Elementary School, Portales Junior High School and PHS sang rich songs, symbolic of the day's sentiments.

The program closed with Pacheco offering a challenge in the form of a new year's resolution to the audience so that they continue King's dream.

"You want to do something radical this year? Let's try and love one another," Pacheco said.

Here is what community members had to say about this historic day:

z Jamae Sharpe, 10, of Portales said it's important to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day because: "Martin Luther King Jr. saved black people and made us equal to all people. Everybody's here because we're all equal. No one says you can't drink out of a water fountain or eat at this table."

z Henisey Acosta, 13, of Portales said the holiday celebrates a historic figure: "He had a dream and changed everyone's life. He said it didn't matter what color you are, it's about who you are."

z Draco Miller, ENMU's director of campus life, was asked if he thought we have reached the dream that King envisioned:

"I think we're on the right path but I don't think we're there yet. With today being Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of Barack Obama, we're knocking on the door."

z Will Stansell, a master sergeant at Cannon Air Force Base, said he wants to remind his daughter, 13-year-old Alyson Stansell, of the holiday's significance.

"The message and the dream he had for equality is what we have but we take it for granted. People forget the sacrifice made to get there and expect the rights we've been given. I totally support and agree with equality, it takes respect."

z Nicky Reid, ENMU's coordinator of campus life, said she wishes more businesses and schools recognized the holiday: "I think it's important to recognize the holiday because it gives us the opportunity to revisit history and celebrate people who made today possible."

z Carmen Valadez, 13, said it's important to honor King because: "MLK was a good guy. He made people of color and white people join together."

z Jacob Jones, ENMU's coordinator of enrollment services, said there are steps we can take to get us closer to King's dream: "One thing would be making it more of a suggestion that school and businesses and not just who can come, should celebrate together because that is exactly what (King) wanted."

z Leon Marquez, director of the Lindsey-Steiner choir, said we're getting close to King's dream: "We have an African-American president and a Latino-American governor. I think each year we get closer to what he envisioned. You see more and more changes in people ,but we need to remember the differences and respect those differences. It would be a shame if nothing went on today. We're happy to be part of this every year."