‘Inspiring and powerful.’ MLK’s dream inspires Palmetto elders and youth as parade returns
From Lincoln Park to Sutton Park, community members and leaders gathered in Palmetto on Saturday to celebrate what they knew to be true about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, legacy and philosophy.
“It’s very important that we learn and understand who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was because he worked very hard to get us where we are today,” Kyra Revange, 13, of Palmetto, said this as she, her family, and members of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ gathered beads and candy to give out on Saturday.
“His words are still very inspiring and powerful, and with all the sacrifices he made for us, I still think he’s worthy of being known.”
King spread the message to not only Black people but all people that in God’s eyes we are all equal and that a human shouldn’t be treated poorly or be discriminated against because of the color of their skin.
King’s words inspired a generation of people who were aware of the ills of inequality and were determined to achieve more; his words charged the civil rights era to end segregation in schools, stores and public transportation.
The celebration in Palmetto began with the return of the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Talent Show, which was organized by the Palmetto Youth Center.
And for many, it ended with live music, food and bounce houses at the Multicultural Festival, which has been hosted by the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency for 11 years.
“Don’t judge people by the color of their skin but by the content of their character and how they treat you,” said Dr. Tyree Revange, Kyra’s dad. “I promote that kind of love within my family, within my church, showing that everyone can work together and be successful, that was Martin Luther King’s dream.”
In addition to the parade, with the theme “Dream it, plan it, do it,” the Palmetto Youth Center also hosted a talent show where students came to showcase song, art and dance.
Dr. Pam Green of Palmetto was in attendance at the parade and a judge in the talent show, which she said she did to encourage the dreamers that live on in all of us.
“It’s initiated by God that we should come together regardless of race, color or creed,” Green said. “Generations before us made sacrifices so that we could come together as a body, as a unit, at this moment.”
“We should support each other, encourage one another, and not only support the young people,” she said. “What about the older people? Us, 60 and older, we still have a dream too.”
A younger relative of Green’s, Josiah McNeal, 10, a student at James Tillman Elementary, entered a drawing that he had created of King at the talent show. McNeal has a hearing disability and said he likes to draw when he’s bored.
“Whatever young people can express, whatever talent lives the inside of them we still can knowledge, Josiah likes drawing, that is his talent so, I encourage that,” Green said.
While eating from local food vendors such as Mr. C’s Word of Mouth BBQ, Multicultural Festival attendees sang and danced to the sounds of Bajo Zero, Impulse Group and Sir Charles Jones.
Kids got to unwind too at the events, in the kid’s zone, which had face painting, bungee trampolines, rock climbing and bounce houses.
This story was originally published January 15, 2023 at 3:04 PM.
