Make dreams real, speaker says
By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — On Sunday, Jan. 11, during the celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Father Darrell Kelly, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, read an excerpt from the civil rights leader’s 1967 speech to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Atlanta, “Where Do We Go From Here?”
That was followed by the reading of an excerpt from Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech in 1968 in Memphis.
The excerpts spoke to the theme of this year’s annual celebration, “A Vision Fulfilled: The Changing Face of America,” held at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.
The keynote speaker, Resurrectionist Father Manuel Williams said he wanted to communicate this core message: “We have an opportunity — now that we have actualized monumental changes with the 2008 presidential election, with all it signified, with ‘the changing face of America’ — to be a part of that change. We can’t sit back and wait for other people to do things,” he said.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the United States made history by electing an the first African-American, Barack Obama, as president of the United States. President-elect Obama centered his campaign on making a “change” in America’s leadership and direction.
Father Williams, CEO of Resurrection Catholic Missions in Aliceville, Ala., and pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church, said people can participate in changes by supporting great national initiatives, such as using more solar power, but also in their daily lives.
“For example, we are a consumer society and I hope the new president challenges us to look at our use of materials, to look at our shopping patterns and make concrete choices,” Father Williams said.
It can be as simple as using an alternative to plastic bags for purchases, he said.
“Would it not make more sense to help save this planet, to help this economy by using something permanent, something you can use over an over again. Using public transportation where possible, instead of driving, is another option.
“We can buy into the process of changing the country in the direct, personal and mundane choices we make every day, as well as supporting initiatives by our federal or state governments.”
Father Williams said in his “I Have A Dream” speech, Dr. King invited people to dream of a new, more just society.
“And from that speech we know words can inspire, can make things happen. He bequeathed to us an incredible legacy and it is our duty, and our privilege, to make that dream a reality,” he said.
Everyone has dreams, Father Williams said. “To realize your dreams you better be ready to make it a reality. You need to save for it, you need to study for it, you need to put time into it.”
He cautioned people, especially young people, to know their history, to know about the people who went before them.
“From Dred Scott to Harriet Tubman to Rosa Parks and all the others, we must not forget the women and men whose shoulders we are standing upon,” he said. “We must think of all the people who went before us who could not imagine a day such as Jan. 20 (Inauguration Day).”
Terrence Wray, Flowood St. Paul parishioner, said Father Williams was “right on point. People need to know their past to be able to move forward.”
Before the election, Wray, 52, could not imagine in his lifetime having an African-American president. “Quite honestly, I didn’t believe I’d ever see it. But his election has brought in a new day. In his campaign he brought in the internet, the young people, he embraced everyone. For those who believe, for those who have a vision, they know their dreams can be achieved.”
Christ the King parishioner Gerald Anderson, 14, gleaned this message from Father Williams’ address: “If you have a dream and if you have to have a vision, you have to work hard for it.”
Today, Father Williams said, “any child — all kinds and all colors — born in this country, can dream and know that if they work hard enough, they can grow up to be president.”
