On January 18, 2016 at the Greer City Hall in Greer, South Carolina, chills ran down my spine, tears filled my eyes and unspoken gratefulness filled my soul. This particular day was the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
I’ve never been to a MLK celebration, and quite honestly, I always just enjoyed the day off. But this year was different.
This historic man had a dream, but as Rev. James Hellams advised “it’s not enough to quote I have a dream.” The Greer City Hall was filled with empowered bodies and I found myself intrigued by the passion, the faith and the overarching support.
I have never been surround by such a beautiful community who embraced their past, and loved their future. This community was connected on something greater than the celebration of equality.
Embracing the lyrics of songs from New Salem All Male, hands came together and individuals stood in their seats, dancing for their King. The lyrics “you thought I was worth dying for” continue to move throughout me, as a permanent picture of thanks and praise is painted in my mind.
This day was about the historic MLK but the way everyone united as a family and embraced their faith was a movement that continues to challenge mine. I left with this feeling of wanting more.
This day is more than just a day off from school and work. This day speaks volume about the individuals who fought for freedom, about their history and about the dreams we as people continue to have.
Blinded by color and the differences within humans, we are one and together is how dreams become reality. Striving for progress, Hellams stood firmly with the microphone in hand and demanded that as “dreamers we must learn how to work together.”
Bonded on love. The future is restored; MLK chased his dream, he held it in his hand as he stood in front of thousands of people to declare the future. The Greer City Hall was filled with murmur’s of “Amen” as Councilman Wayne Griffin declared “it’s not where you live it’s how you live.”
Reflecting in my seat and looking around, I saw passion, forgiveness, appreciation, and empowerment, it’s almost like my eyes were bound shut for all these years. The song “Take me to the King” sent chills down my spine as it became clear that this community is full of servants for Christ.
Motivated by love, dreamers become doers and the past becomes changed. There is no such difference in color, there is no inequality, and for no one person is better than the next. Together, we stand; together, we link arms and fight the fight to allow dreams to become reality.
As Hellams ended his speech stating, “if we keep our hand in our Masters hand we will make it through all times.” In my mind I rummaged through those moments where I was left speechless, the times where I doubted my ability, my future and as my eyes wandered through the packed City Hall, I was filled with hope and inspiration by those who never give up.
This community demonstrates what it means to love first, dream hard, pursue freedom, and embody equality.
We, as one body continue to grow in equality, to clap for freedom and to not let people tell us what we can and cannot do. This specific community has deepened my knowledge, has widened my horizon and allowed me to become more a part of one amazing historic leader, Martin Luther King Jr.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase” – Martin Luther King Jr.
