GLASTONBURY HONORS MLK'S LEGACY WITH CELEBRATION OF HOPE
Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative in Smith Middle School. Photo, Boceto Media |
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Glastonbury, CT.- This weekend, several Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations took place across the state, including a vibrant event titled "The Power of Hope," held at the Smith Middle School Auditorium in Glastonbury.
The event, hosted by the Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative (GMLKCI), marked an afternoon of reflection, performances, and community unity in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.
Quan Tran, the outgoing president of the Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative, shared his thoughts on the theme of this year’s event, noting its relevance in today’s world.
"Sometimes when we are in a time of challenges and hardship, we may lose sight of hope”, she said. “We hope that this event, with all the different kinds of expressions of hope, can remind folks that, you know, we are all experts in hope, that we can always find that little light within ourselves and in our community."
The program featured a wide range of activities, including performances, poetry readings, and community crafts. Marilyn Nelson, a celebrated poet, opened the event with a powerful reading, setting the tone for the day.
"One thing about hope, though, is that it only exists where there is antagonism," Nelson said. "To hope, you need something to hope against. Hope requires us to define it in opposition to destruction so that it can continue to thrive and stay alive."
Marilyn Nelson speaking during the MLK celebration in the Smith Middle School auditorium. Photo, Boceto Media |
Reverend Dr. John Selders Jr. delivered an inspirational address via Zoom, reflecting on the importance of resilience and faith in the pursuit of social justice.
"The powerful leadership is a deep-seated investment in hope, the hope to make life better for the oppressed, the hope of living dignified lives free from purity and violence."
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz attended the event and, encouraged attendees to keep working toward a more inclusive and just society. She also honored the women who played pivotal roles in the Civil Rights Movement, recognizing their often overlooked contributions to Dr. King’s work.
"And I wanted to take the opportunity to honor the women who fought alongside him that made his legacy possible”, she said. “Because it was women, legions of women in church basements, at lunch counters, in marches, that made his legacy possible."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s connection to Connecticut is rooted in both his personal experiences and his activism. After completing his junior year in high school, King spent time working on a tobacco farm in Simsbury. This experience in the state helped shape his values and commitment to social justice.
The farm later became a significant site after Dr. King’s assassination, symbolizing his connection to Connecticut and the state’s role in his broader civil rights journey.
Today, the farm serves as a historical site, preserving the legacy of Dr. King’s enduring commitment to civil rights.
Layavinyasa Dance Company, performing the 1930 Salt March that inspired MLK to start the human rights movement. Photo, Boceto Media. |
A highlight of the afternoon was a traditional Indian dance performance by Layavinyasa Dance Company, which honored the 1930 Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal nonviolent protest that deeply influenced Dr. King’s own activism. The performance, set to classical Indian music, drew cheers from the audience for its powerful portrayal of solidarity and peaceful resistance.
The celebration also included performances from opera singers Shauntice Shepard and Jermaine Woodard Jr., who performed uplifting songs centered on themes of hope and unity.
In addition to these performances, attendees participated in a "Bracelets of Hope" craft station, where they created colorful bracelets as symbols of the hope they hold for themselves and their communities.
"We must remember Dr. King's teachings, especially now," said Larry Bowden, a Glastonbury resident and community member. "We face many challenges in the world today, but as Dr. King taught us, hope is something we must continue to build together. Without it, we have nothing."
This year’s event was strategically held on the weekend before the official Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday to avoid conflicting with other community events or President Trump’s second-term inauguration.
Bob Rader, the incoming president of the Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative, praised the collective efforts of all involved in making the event possible.
"It’s a true testament to the power of community. This event reflects not only the vision Dr. King had for a better world but also the work still to be done to make that vision a reality."
GLASTONBURY HONORS MLK'S LEGACY WITH CELEBRATION OF HOPE
Reviewed by Maricarmen Cajahuaringa
on
January 19, 2025
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