United we stand

PORTALES - Monday in eastern New Mexico brought another of those spectacular sunsets that occasions a motorist to pull over and take pictures or a pedestrian to stop and gape slackjawed. But in Portales that evening it competed with another phenomenon at least as dazzling and more unique: a crowd of some 300, more than half in red shirts, walking through downtown with a marching band and military color guard at the helm.

That was the start of programming for the city's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, which commenced with a symbolic march from the Memorial Building and concluded with an evening of performances, readings and awards at Eastern New Mexico University.

This year's theme of "United We Stand - Divided We Fall" was written on 160 red shirts distributed before the parade, supplies of which ran out quickly, according to the city's Deputy Clerk Veda Urioste.

Karmon Sena, 11, read some remarks on that theme before the march began, and it was echoed in words later that evening from Portales High School essay winner Prince Bowah and keynote speaker David Briseno.

"I believe everybody here wants to see a better world," Briseno said, while providing some context on the "chaotic" era of American history, half a century past, in which the civil rights icon honored Monday advanced his message.

"I know what you're thinking: 'Chaotic? This is chaotic, what we're living through now,'" he said. And he acknowledged the challenges the country still faces, fear fueling racism and divisiveness.

"We're living in some very troubling times; we're being asked to pick sides," he said.

Briseno asked the crowd if anyone present didn't want their children associating with people different from them. There were no takers.

"Well folks, these people do exist. We know they do, and to deny it would be an injustice in itself," he continued.

Briseno encouraged everyone to break down walls of ignorance and contempt, emphasizing the power of communication.

"How we greet people is a big deal. Communicating with people is a big deal," he said. "God does not create anything less than human beings that deserve the best in life and the best from us."

The program Monday opened with a Zuni Pueblo prayer for peace, read in translation by 2018-19 Miss Native ENMU Vivian Lueras. The ceremony, held in the university ballroom, also included dance and song performances and awards in the categories of non-violence, human rights and art, among others.

Portales Cultural Affairs Chair Oscar Robinson said he was particularly moved during the rendering of "Amazing Grace," one of MLK's favorite songs, by ENMU junior O'Shaun Estrada. It reminded Robinson of his grandmother, who he felt communicated with him during the powerful vocal performance that brought a standing ovation from the crowd.

"I felt her presence. She said 'Stand up, son,'" Robinson told The News. "When she got depressed, she sang that song."

In 27 years of Portales' MLK holiday events, which Robinson said have often involved collaboration between the city and ENMU, Monday's participation was a "great turnout" but still deserved a larger audience. He compared the march and programming to a preacher and a choir: an important message, but is it reaching those who don't already know it?

"The people that need to be here, are not here. ... They don't understand what they miss," he said. "We can't change their position, but we can continue to present our position."

Sherry Shiner, a city resident joining the march, said she was impressed with the sense of progress even as work still remained.

"We're still fighting for civil rights in different ways and I'm just happy at all the success and the strides we've made over the years," she said.