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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On April 4, 1968, the world mourned the loss of Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominent civil rights activist. King’s advocacy of nonviolence and civil disobedience to achieve social justice made large strides in the civil rights movement. We honor Martin Luther King, Jr. each year on the third Monday in January, around the time of his birthday, to remember his leadership and efforts to create a better world.
Residents of Needham and the surrounding communities do not see Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day off from school or work, though.
Together, the Needham Diversity Initiative, the Needham Clergy Association, the Needham Human Rights Committee, and the Needham Public Schools and its METCO program hosted a program at the high school to celebrate King’s life and discuss the importance of equality.
“The legacy of Dr. King is one of courage, truth, a just and compassionate vision, persistence, and leadership,” said the Needham Board of Selectmen’s Dan Matthews. “I hope that we can all reflect on those values today, be better for it, and renew our commitment to making this a better country and a better world for everyone in it.”
School Committee Chair Heidi Black shared her views on why it is so crucial for young people to understand the importance of King’s values.
“It is incumbent upon us to use the most powerful tool we have: education,” said Black. “We must turn to each other and all become teachers and find and create inclusiveness and respect, tolerance and acceptance. Let us teach our children and model to them the behavior and expectations we hold dear as a community. Together, we are committed to the very principles that embodied Martin Luther King, Jr., and through education, we can accomplish anything.”
Sixth graders from High Rock School and seventh and eighth graders from Pollard Middle School delivered the “39 Years Celebration,” honoring Dr. King’s 39 years of life by lighting a flameless candle and sharing a brief biography of 39 different leaders of color, including Nelson Mandela, Michelle Obama, and Yuri Kochiyama.
“Plugged In,” Needham’s teen band program, performed a cover of “All You Need Is Love” to help spread the message of peace before an emotional presentation from Gretchen Cook-Anderson and Rebecca Young.
The two called out 39 names of victims of color, who were murdered under unjust circumstances, like police brutality or violence fueled by racism. Members of the audience who agreed to participate in the in memoriam presentation held up signs that stated the name, age, and location of the victim, along with his or her photo.
“We need to remember, as so many of us already do know, that standing up for the right thing can be very dangerous – even deadly,” reminded Needham Clergy Association President and Rector of Christ Episcopal Church Nick Morris-Kilment.
“That’s why it’s important that we have communities like we have here this morning of support and nurture and encourage and strength. This work is hard and it doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in communities.”
