AFRICAN
AMERICAN SENIORS CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND
BLACK
HISTORY MONTH
Thoughts –
Happenings and People! The Springfield
African American Seniors remembered Dr. Martin Luther, Jr., the man and his
dream. We stood and watched his flag being
raised on the esplanade in front of City Hall and sang “We Shall
Overcome.” Some of us attended programs
held throughout our community, such as the program sponsored by the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Community Center held at the Eastfield Mall. The program began at 10:30 a.m. and held
activities until 8:00 p.m. Baystate
Medical Center also had a program with choirs presenting their music, and
Wesley United Methodist Church held their annual Martin Luther King, Jr.
Memorial Scholarship Breakfast with Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith as their keynote
speaker.
Nationwide we celebrate our African
American heritage in February during Black History Month. In Springfield, the 19th annual
ceremony of flying the Black American Heritage Flag on the esplanade in front of
City Hall was held this year on February 1, 2005. Special guests for the event were Melvin T. Charles from Tampa,
Florida, who is the surviving flag designer, and E. Henry Twiggs, who served as
Master of Ceremony and is a potentate from the Springfield Masons.
The guest speakers were also the guests
of Professor John H. Bracey of the University of Massachusetts (“UMASS”) at an
event held at the New Africa House at UMass.
I also was invited to attend in recognition of my efforts in getting the
city to start flying the Black American Heritage Flag during Black History
Month.
Many planned informative and exciting events will take place in Springfield and throughout our nation during the month of February in celebration of Black History Month. It’s up to you to participate in these activities. n