×

Civil rights leader King remembered in city event

REMEMBERING KING — Bishop Jermaine Moore of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Steubenville was the keynote speaker Monday during the Martin Luther King Jr. Association reflection event held at Harding Middle School. -- Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — Bishop Jermaine Moore of Mount Zion Baptist Church shared memories of growing up in Georgia while speaking at Monday’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event at Harding Middle School.

“I understood the struggle as a child growing up in Georgia. Dr. Martin Luther King fought for equality and justice for all people, and he fought for freedom for black people. Dr. King would be devastated today. Dr. King spoke the truth. He was a leader for social justice and a preacher. And, for many years, all we had were our preachers and our churches,” stated Moore.

“His dream was not for just the liberation of blacks, but also for the unification of black people,” noted Moore.

“The pulpit is where we, as preachers, encourage our young people to know they can go to school and be something. We encourage them against gang violence. Dr. King marched for a purpose and he made a difference,” continued Moore.

“Where is Martin Luther King in you? What difference are you making in your life and the lives of others? What are you living for and what legacy will you leave? How will you impact Steubenville?” asked Moore.

“Do you know your black culture, or are you fascinated with another culture? What dream are you fighting for, or are you fighting to kill the dream of someone else?” continued Moore.

James Baber, president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Association, said the ecumenical service held Sunday night at the Word of Life Fellowship Church, “was an excellent evening.”

“The focus was bridging the gap. Manna is not going to fall from heaven. It is already here. You just have to go out and get it. We need to learn how to live together. If you cut yourself, your blood is red — just like all of us,” remarked Baber.

“We need to tell our young people to go to school and do what you are supposed to do when you get there. And, as my father would say, ‘act like you had home training.’ My father was 6-foot, 4-inches tall and weighed 220 pounds. He worked on the railroad, and when he talked we listened to him. We all need to work together to make this city and this country a better place,” declared Baber.

The annual event was moved from the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center because of the water outage in downtown Steubenville.

“This year, we will have a memorial march in our minds,” added Baber.

The reflection hour was moderated by Duane Jennings and included a musical solo by Quandee Hudson and a praise presentation by the Anointed Kids of Calvary.

And, for the fourth year in a row, the Mount Calvary Community Baptist Church had the most people attend the reflection hour.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today