Column: 95th Birthday Of Martin Luther King

[Written by Glenn Fubler]

Some 50-odd residents gathered in the foyer of City Hall on, January 15, 2024, marking the 95th Birthday of Martin Luther King. The theme was “Always Learning”; capturing the trajectory of MLK’s 39 years on the Planet. Included amongst those assembled were Joan Dillas Wright -Senate President, who assisted with the presentation and numerous stakeholder reps and students.

The rich sounds of the ‘City Singers’, singing ‘spirituals’, welcomed attendees.

In the welcome, I pointed out how 15 year-old Claudette Colvin had refused to cooperate with Segregation Laws on a bus in Montgomery on March 2, 1955, and that ‘learning opportunity’ for King, Rosa Parks and other activists, led to the December launch of the iconic Bus Boycott and noted that MLK continued being “learned up” by young people with ‘sit-ins’, ‘Freedom Rides’ and anti-war protests; concluding with King assuming iconic leadership against the U.S. War against Vietnam.

Attendees were offered stickers with the letter ‘L’: – a reminder that each circumstance is an opportunity to learn.

Rev Jermaine ‘Jay’ Tucker- Christ Church [Devonshire] – provided an overview of Martin King’s life of learning. Tucker brought his own intimate perspective, having had the opportunity to study in Atlanta, where the ‘Drum Major’s legacy is well preserved. Rev ‘Jay’ encouraged the audience, especially the young people, to do their part in sustaining that legacy and keep on learning.

Considering ‘Always Learning’; Bermuda’s legacy offers a series of ‘dominoes’, from the milestone of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in the early 1900’s, along with the formation of the BUT; the Gordon Movement in the mid-40’s and the Theatre Boycott in 1959.

All were moved with the highlighting of three examples of Bermudians who reflected the theme as they ‘made a difference’. This was done by representatives from last year’s honourees:

• Eugene Ball – 1st Vice President of the BIU- honoured Sandy Butterfield, the co-founder of Focus Counselling which has demonstrated a yeoman’s commitment to fostering the lives of so many whose lives have been devasted by various addictions. Sandy was prepared to ‘embrace all, especially those on the margins of society’.

• Irwin Trott – representing the Gombey Council – honoured Canon James Francis who began his ministry in central Ohio in 1961, where he was recognized for his grassroots approach to ministry; restoring older churches and schools. Francis went on to serve in Detroit where he focused on the bars, pool halls and the streets – becoming known as the Hooligan Priest, before returning to serve as the Canon of the Cathedral and eventually taking over Christ Church Devonshire which he revitalized.

• Dave Thomas – coordinator of Christ Church- Warwick’s Feeding Program – honoured “Bermuda is Love” in which young people ‘walk their talk’ to enhance Island solidarity. They collaborate with other programs and sporadically stage food, clothes and other ‘drives’ to assist those most challenged families. The ‘Bermuda is Love’ Facebook Pages are packed with everything from Community Gardens to their Support of the South African Case Against Genocide in Gaza, all geared towards a Better Bermuda, a Better World.

In the spirit of many across the Globe who – like MLK – remain open to “Always Learning”; the following personalities and stakeholders confirm their in-principle, support:

Minister Owen Darrell -responsibility for Culture
Personal: Hon. Dennis Lister & Joan Dillas Wright
Dr Norma Astwood: former educator & senior civil servant
Dale Butler: former Government Minister & school Principal
Sonya Clarke – Acting Manager Career Development @ Workforce Devepment
Elizabeth DeJean-Saunders – former senior Counsellor at Cedarbridge
Sharon Francis-Dublin – former Assistant Principal at Berkeley Institute & Past- President of Elliott Alumnae Assoc.
Rev/Dr Leonard Santucci – Counsellor at Berkeley Institute & Pastor of Vernon Temple AME
Branwen Smith – Acting President of Bermuda College
Rev Dave Steele – Pastor Wesley Methodist Church
David Wingate – environmental champion
Joanne Wolmuth – social activist, former educator
Cummings Zuill – philanthropic activist

Supporting Stakeholders:
Adult Education School
African Diaspora Heritage Trail Foundation
AME Church
Anglian Church
Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo
Bermuda Chamber of Commerce
Bermuda High School
Bermuda National Trust
Bermuda Sloop Foundation
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute
Bermuda Union of Teachers
Bermuda Youth Connect
Berkeley Institute
Cedarbridge Academy
Chewstick Foundation
Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB]
Human Rights Commission
Imagine Bermuda
MIRRORS
Social Justice Bermuda
Somersfield Academy
Warwick Academy

#DrMartinLutherKing #GlennFublerColumns

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