By Steve Shay

Click on photo for slideshow

Over 35 West Seattle teens and leaders joined others, all representing Seattle community centers in a two-mile Parks and Recreation-sponsored march and program to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, two days prior to the national holiday in his name.

Kids from Hiawatha, Delridge, Alki, and South Park Community Centers joined others citywide. Over 80 marchers braved the rain from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2200 MLK, Jr. Way, north to Garfield Community Center, 2323 East Cherry St.

Upon arrival to the center they participated in small group discussions led by facilitators to reflect on four questions regarding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and contributions including:
 
1)    Why do we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2)    How have you personally benefitted from the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
3)    What can you do to make the “dream” a reality?
4)    What approaches and/or methods did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. use that were most effective?

Two videos were shown that teens from the South Park Community Center helped create.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park holds special meaning for Cara Atchison, recreation leader at Alki Community Center and Garfield Teen Life Center. She was at the march helping facilitate the event.

"I won a contest in 5th grade for an essay I wrote when they started building this memorial park," she recalled. "I got a brick with my name here. The essay question was, 'What does Dr. King's dream mean to you?' I have no clue what I wrote, but it must have been really good since I won. My folks are still proud, and still have the essay."

"To me he's a symbol of freedom and integration, and every time I see his name or face it reminds me what he's done for the community," said Michael Hoang referring to Dr. King. Hoang is involved with the Delridge Community Center and is a Denny 8th grader who lives near South Seattle Community College.

"He was a good leader, someone who helped out with freedom for all of us," added Jose Campos, a Pathfinder 7th-grader who lives a block from the Delridge Community Center. "This cause means a lot to me. It's really important."

"He was an inspiration to all of us," said Nancy Nguyen, a WSHS junior with Hiawatha Community Center. "He spoke out for a lot of us who didn't have the courage to do so. If it weren't for him we wouldn't be where we are today. Our society is more diverse. Everyone is starting to get along. It's still a little iffy but we're getting there."

Echoing Nguyen's sentiment was Parks and Recreation Division Director Sue Goodwin, also there to march.

"This program is important because the teens learn a lot about Martin Luther King and his legacy," Goodwin said. "We do this every year. I remember when he died. It was terrible. I remember John F. Kennedy (dying) when I was a little kid. It has taken way too long to get where we are as far as race and social justice and we have such a long way to go. I was thinking, back then it was so good because we were moving, but boy, we are nowhere near where we should be, but we can never stop."

Guest speaker Josphine Howell gave what many considered a moving inspirational speech peppered with her gospel singing.

In her speech she said: "Do you understand the reason why you stand here today? Do you see the poster that you have? Hold it high. Wear it proud(...) I know that this man, this man, this man has a day named after him. This man died so that you might live. This man suffered so that you might smile(...) When you march today hold your head up high. Remember to believe that you deserve the best of the best, not that you're better than anybody else, it's just that 'I'm equal just like everybody else.'"

"I have hope for desegregation," said Dempsey Hope, punning on his last name with sincerity. He belongs to the South Park Community Center and lives in South Park.