Dr. King’s Dream Inspires Bermuda Meeting
On the eve of this weekend’s official dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Washington DC, community group Imagine Bermuda is hosting a symposium tonight [Oct.13] inspired by the American civil rights leader who embodied selfless public service and dedication.
The public meeting’s theme — “What might motivate people to go Above & Beyond to better their community, to better their world?” — is a nod to the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s lifelong mission of challenging racial, social and economic injustices through non-violent means.
“This weekend our American friends are recognising the contributions of Dr. King, the icon who represents a movement that not only helped to transform the US but who made a profound impact throughout the world,” said an Imagine Bermuda spokesman.
“So we have chosen this auspicious occasion to stage a public discussion to try and stimulate debate in Bermuda on the question of what makes men and women launch movements based on education, advocacy and nonviolence to better social conditions both in their own countries and internationally.
“Consequently , we have the US Consul and the president of Alpha Phi Alpha [Bermuda Chapter] fraternity serving as co-patrons for the event. The Alpha fraternity is significant because Alphas [International] have been the lead-group in getting the Dr. King Monument built.”
The panellists at tonight’s meeting include trade unionist and former Bermuda Industrial Union president Ottiwell Simmons, community activist Gina Spence, the Committee for Uprooting Racism in Bermuda’s Lynn Winfield and Gavin Smith of the Chewstick Foundation.
“The format of the event is geared to include the voices of those in attendance,” said the spokesman. “Panel members will only get the conversation going and we will then encourage the audience to share their input.”
The meeting is being held at St. Paul’s Centennial Hall at the corner of Court and Church Streets and gets underway at 7: 00 p.m.
The portrait of Dr. King at top was taken by American photographer Flip Schulke, the late brother of Bermudian Roxanna Kaufmann and a close friend and associate of the civil rights leader. Mr. Schulke lectured about Dr. King at Bermuda schools and exhibited his photos of the clergyman-turned-activist at the Bermuda National Gallery.
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This looks like a good event hope many attend.
LOL
A very constructive, positive and timely event hope many attend – “to put their money where their mouth is”- can’t wait to read the reviews.
How about people going above and beyond fear for their community by giving up the gang members, being strong unwavering witnesses. Martin Luther King would have been proud of people and a community that did that.