Cape church marks anniversary of MLK's speech

Pews were filled at St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday night to celebrate the love, life and legacy of "the drum major of justice," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The celebration, sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration Committee, honored the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Dr. Ron Webb, pastor of the Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo., was the keynote speaker at Wednesday night's event.

Webb, who founded the Heartland Family Center homeless shelter and the School of the Prophets Bible school, was asked to be the guest speaker because he "talks the talk and walks the walk," said Debra Mitchell-Braxton, event organizer and member of the church.

"He does what Dr. King wanted us to do, and that's help those in need regardless of their skin color or where they come from," she said. "And I knew he could deliver a really powerful message that would resonate through all of us."

Attendees sing as the offering is collected during the 50th Commemorative Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream," speech Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau. The event which was sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration Committee, featured a keynote address by Dr. Ron Webb, the pastor of the Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Adam Vogler)

During his speech, Webb addressed what he called a generation gap, saying today's generation "fell asleep."

"We've heard the dream and we've heard the speech, but what are we doing with what we heard?" he asked the crowd of more than 50.

Church member Maxine Montgomery also spoke to the crowd, saying the nation has come a long way since King's speech "but still has a long, long way to go."

"I was 5 years old when he gave that speech, and at 5 years old, I didn't have a clue what the dream was about or who that man was," she said.

Montgomery said just a few years later, she learned the importance of King and his dream when she attended a predominantly white school and was called "dirty" by one of the white students.

An usher wears a tie with an image Martin Luther King Jr. over the American Flag during the 50th Commemorative Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream," speech Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau. The event which was sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration Committee, featured a keynote address by Dr. Ron Webb, the pastor of the Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Adam Vogler)

Her mother, Montgomery said, then taught her an important lesson.

"She told me to pray for that child because he was only doing what he was taught," she said. "Racism isn't born, it's taught. ... It isn't about man or woman or culture, it's all about the spirit of the person."

Even in Cape Girardeau, Montgomery said she's still heard racially driven remarks cast her way, but shares the same message of forgiveness and tolerance with her own children.

The key to learning from King's speech and advancing on its message is unity, Webb agreed.

"Where there is unity, there is strength," he said.

A n attendee clutches the program for the 50th Commemorative Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream," speech Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau . The event which was sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration Committee, featured a keynote address by Dr. Ron Webb, the pastor of the Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Adam Vogler)

Webb also pointed out the sacrifice made by King and other leaders in the fight for equality. He said the "I've got mine, you get yours" attitude taken by many today would do nothing but stanch further progress.

"In baseball, they have something called the sacrifice fly," he said. "If you hit that sacrifice fly, you might not get on base, but someone on your team will. Some of our forefathers could not even spell 'education,' but they made sure that we today would get one."

On many occasions, the room rose to its feet, applauding and shouting in approval as Webb spoke.

"Tonight was even more than I expected," Mitchell-Braxton said. "I'm humbled by the diversity of the people in the room tonight. That's how it should be: integrated, not segregated."

Near the end of his speech, Webb called upon the crowd to remember the past, but not to dwell on it.

"Don't be held back by the negatives. Don't fall back on race; let go of the past," he said. "Through God, all things are possible. ... It is a new day for you."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

516 North Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.