By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
The need to encourage the youth that it’s time to rise up was a central message from the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Junction City, Tre Walker.
Walker stated on Monday the community was celebrating as one body because one man with a dream acted on it to intentionally make the world a better place. Walker said King’s life speaks for itself and justice is not for those of certain colors, but is for everyone.
Walker said there are issues that must be eradicated. ” I desire to communicate and articulate so that together we can rise up.”
He noted for those who do communicate on the issues with their youth the time is still not taken to act on the topic that was discussed. “We have youth that have lost loved ones to gang violence, we have youth who have been peer pressured into using drugs they did not want to use. We have youth that were taken advantage of by adults, beaten by loved ones, and molested by those they trusted. And until we learn to address the hurt that they’ve been through we’ll never be able to fix the pain that they express on the inside.” Walker made another key point. “In every award an adult can win and in all the accomplishments, and all that they know that could help youth succeed, “They do not care what you know until they know that you care.” Walker added young people are being missed because conversations aren’t occurring.
To the youth Walker said what they consume is more important than anything in this life. “Staying sober mentally, physically and emotionally is not tough when you choose to say know, but the sad reality is we have to some things to get ahold of our youth.” He pointed out If hard work, honestly and loyalty were intertwined with such things as video games we might be able to get youth to realize that there is a world outside of Junction City, “All we can do is beg you to rise up past the peer pressure and reach for sobriety farther than the producers.”
Walker, who received a standing ovation for his remarks, is employed by USD 475, has spoken at more than 100 schools in Kansas, is an ordained minister, and in the athletic arena a former former football player and coach at Kansas State University.
The King observance also included time spent remembering the founder and organizer of the annual celebration, the late Ruby Stevens. She organized the first local King celebration in Junction City 34 years ago, and organized the event for many years. A Co-Chair for the organizing committee this year, Daphne Maxwell, said, ” We are blessed to have labored alongside a woman of God, of honor, integrity,good character, strength and courage.” Maxwell said the committee is dedicated to continue honor and uphold the service, mission, vision and legacies, “united one in spirit in celebration and hope.”
The ceremony include the presentation of Coretta Scott King Humanitarian Courage Awards to Mary Lee Walls, Bernice Bullard and Margaret Kilpatrick, ( Photos L-R below ) and the unveiling of a Martin Luther King quilt ( photo top of the page ). After the ceremony indoors at the Opera House there was a march through a ones-square block area of downtown Junction City in honor of those who marched for civil rights many years ago. ( Photos of march below ).
