(by Mike Blagg) The Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) organization held it’s ninth Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebration event Monday morning in Cecil Holman Park.  Good weather and a larger venue resulted in the largest crowd in the event’s history, as approximately 500 persons attended.  For the first eight years the event was held at MLK Plaza on West Commerce.  But the larger crowds, and the need for more space for COVID distancing, necessitated the move.  Event organizer and Mayor Pro Tem Draco Miller said future MLK Day events would also be held in Holman Park.

The theme for this year’s celebration was a quote from Dr. King:  “The time is always right, to do what is right.”

The Keynote Speaker was Howard Payne University President Dr. Cory Hines.  He referred to the theme, and said Dr. King spoke those words in an address at Oberlin College in 1964.  “When Dr. King stood before the crowd that day on October 22, 1964, he must have felt a sense of urgency to call to create an America where all God’s children could live peacefully with one another, while at the same time saddened by the lack of unity he saw around him.

“On this day, January 18, 2021, I would hope we feel much like Dr. King did on that day.  Now, more than ever, our country needs to unite.  On one hand we need to look back at the words of Dr. King on that October day, and be grateful for his words and his call to action.  But on the other hand, we need to push forward and actively do our part and hope we shape our country, our county, and our community to be more loving, accepting, caring, and forgiving of one another.”

Welcoming remarks were provided by Sereta Spratt Delgado, Secretary of ROC.  “Dr. King was an ordinary man.  He dedicated his life for purpose and belief for change against extraordinary opposition.  We have an obligation and a responsibility in 2021 to rise to the occasion.  The Time is Always Right to Do What is Right.  Dr. King fought for the greater good for all, not with weapons, but with love and faith.”

Other speakers included Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes and State Representative Dr. Glenn Rogers.