The sounds of drum beats, chanting and singing filled the air from Freedom Elementary School over to Hopkinsville Community College, as hundreds of people took part in the annual Martin Luther King. Jr. Day march and celebration.
Over 180 students participated in the march alone, with Christian County Middle School taking home the first place trophy for the most student participants as part of the School Challenge. The program highlighted the importance of education, youth and remembrance, with Dekerrion Whitlock and Antonio Catlett of Men2Be reading Dr. King’s speech “What Is In Your Life’s Blueprint?” Whitlock quoted the speech, saying Dr. King urged people to be the very best versions of themselves they could be and leave an impact on the world.
During the performance “Don’t Forget to Remember”, Paulette Robinson called on the audience and the youth to remember the fights that had to be fought and the struggles that had to be endured to get to where we are today.
In a panel featuring local high schoolers who are part of the mentoring programs Lip Stick After Dark and Men2Be, Ty’Jairria Johnson says she thinks there’s still plenty of work to do, but that Dr. King would be proud of where they are.
Catlett says Dr. King remains relevant today because he set down the foundations of what it means to peaceful protest and make change that benefits all people.
The oldest marcher in the event was 82 year old Hugh Northington, while the youngest was three-year old Silas Jatczak. A woman marcher traveled from Las Vegas, Nevada and took part in the event in Hopkinsville, showing that the legacy and impact of Dr. King extended not just across the south, but the nation as a whole.
