“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
These words, spoken by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, became the beckoning call for an end to racism in the United States.
Fifty-years later, the dream is yet alive as Americans prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. Adding to the holiday’s significance this year, it coincides with the second inauguration of the first black American president.
As a precursor to Monday’s parade and celebration in Statesboro, St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church hosted the annual MLK Prayer Breakfast, co-sponsored by the Bulloch County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and its Youth and College Division.
The breakfast was a gala affair with singing, speeches, readings from the past and various prayers offered for unity, which was the theme this year, “America: One Nation United Under God.”
Little Josalin Joseph, a preteen member of the Bulloch County Youth Council, delivered two songs, inspiring the crowd of nearly 250 people. Robin Lanier accompanied her on keyboards and also performed during the breakfast time.
Robert L. Persse, the chief public defender for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, delivered a timely reading by Robert F. Kennedy, given in Indianapolis on the evening following the assassination of King in Memphis, Tenn.
“While riots broke out across America that night,” Persse said, “it was ironic that all was quiet in Indianapolis due to the unity given in Kennedy’s speech.”
Jonathan McCollar introduced the speaker for the morning, his wife, Adrienne McCollar, who specializes in logistics and operations and is the coordinator for 27 of Georgia Southern University’s Residential and Auxiliary Facilities. She also serves Georgia Southern as a People Mapping/personality assessment instructor, chairwoman of the Professional Development Committee and is an Eagle Leader.
She began with her thoughts about the occasion.
“Dr. King would be amazed at what will happen this Monday as our president will be inaugurated for a second term on the precise day set aside as MLK Day,” McCollar said. “Love and unity have to be the two guiding factors leading this country forward. Unity is what we are here for today.
“I challenge each of you to become your best for our youth and children,” she continued. “We have to show and teach our children about the things that are most important.”
She recalled the day her first child was born, and nurses had brought the child for her to hold for the first time. As she held the baby in her arms, she began to realize the tremendous influence she held in making sure she and others placed the right things in the baby’s.
“It is most important as to what we put into our children’s minds today,” McCollar said. “We need to mentor our children and youth to become strong and mentally capable of today’s challenges.”
McCollar said “it’s not ‘black history’ but ‘American history’” we must instill in our children today.
“Do not just settle for ‘Black History Month,’” she said. “We are one nation concerned about all of our children, regardless of color.”
McCollar encouraged youth to “learn as much as they can. Learn to walk the walk and talk the talk and mentor others along the way.”
She emphasized Jeremiah 1:5, in which God states that He knew us before we were born and has set each apart as prophets.
“You are each special and called, according to God, and should live your lives as very special instruments of God’s grace,” McCollar said. “We, of the community, have to help our children and youth and mentor them to become all God has created them to be.”