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I remember how we linked arms and marched together - Black and white - through the streets of Fort Lauderdale that first year as Stevie Wonder’s song “Happy Birthday” blasted from cars along the parade route. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday had finally been declared a national holiday; it was a moment of triumph after years of political lobbying and demonstrations. For many of us, especially southerners, life was already divided into two parts: before and after the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. We had become like immigrants who had left an old world of segregation for the hope - and the frustrations - of the new. The impact was lost on people who were born after that time, however. So, an annual birthday marker became a much easier symbol to grasp.
But, the King holiday honors not just a great man and leader but also an era of possibilities, and an ideal of equality that both still have relevance today - especially in Greater Fort Lauderdale, a place of transformation. Here, diversity is mushrooming, racial and cultural differences are being confronted and the doors of the community remain open to change. Here, the spirit of the man and the era live on.
The area was spared the brutal encounters which occurred in other parts of Florida and the South, but the struggle for civil rights was waged along the pristine shores of Fort Lauderdale’s famous beaches with marches and wade-ins that began in the late 1950s, led by NAACP activists such as physician Dr. Von D. Mizell and businesswoman Mrs. Eula Johnson. Fights to desegregate schools and end housing discrimination continued into the 1970s. The influx of Caribbeans and Hispanics of African descent from a variety of countries, which accelerated starting in the 1980s, has benefited from the strides made in the past, and they have become participants in the holiday celebrations as well.
This year’s Fort Lauderdale MLK parade and events will include Caribbean Carnival and marching bands and representations across countries and nationalities as residents and visitors gather for a prayer breakfast, a Stop the Violence rally and a Sounds of Freedom concert with Urban Ballet Theatre of New York. Cities such as Lauderhill, with a large West Indian population, plan annual presentations with guest speakers to highlight the contributions of Dr. King, and his vision.
Beyond the parades, speeches and camaraderie, however, the King holiday reminds us that hopes, dreams and ideals continue to be worthy aspirations. They bring out the best and highest in us as human beings, even if they are never fully achieved. And, Greater Fort Lauderdale remains an exciting place of possibilities, a fact that is evident from the moment you arrive. If it has been awhile since you were here, you’ll notice how much things have changed – in a good way. If this is your first time, you may be surprised at the diversity, and promise, you’ll find.
- Kitty Oliver
But, the King holiday honors not just a great man and leader but also an era of possibilities, and an ideal of equality that both still have relevance today - especially in Greater Fort Lauderdale, a place of transformation. Here, diversity is mushrooming, racial and cultural differences are being confronted and the doors of the community remain open to change. Here, the spirit of the man and the era live on.
The area was spared the brutal encounters which occurred in other parts of Florida and the South, but the struggle for civil rights was waged along the pristine shores of Fort Lauderdale’s famous beaches with marches and wade-ins that began in the late 1950s, led by NAACP activists such as physician Dr. Von D. Mizell and businesswoman Mrs. Eula Johnson. Fights to desegregate schools and end housing discrimination continued into the 1970s. The influx of Caribbeans and Hispanics of African descent from a variety of countries, which accelerated starting in the 1980s, has benefited from the strides made in the past, and they have become participants in the holiday celebrations as well.
This year’s Fort Lauderdale MLK parade and events will include Caribbean Carnival and marching bands and representations across countries and nationalities as residents and visitors gather for a prayer breakfast, a Stop the Violence rally and a Sounds of Freedom concert with Urban Ballet Theatre of New York. Cities such as Lauderhill, with a large West Indian population, plan annual presentations with guest speakers to highlight the contributions of Dr. King, and his vision.
Beyond the parades, speeches and camaraderie, however, the King holiday reminds us that hopes, dreams and ideals continue to be worthy aspirations. They bring out the best and highest in us as human beings, even if they are never fully achieved. And, Greater Fort Lauderdale remains an exciting place of possibilities, a fact that is evident from the moment you arrive. If it has been awhile since you were here, you’ll notice how much things have changed – in a good way. If this is your first time, you may be surprised at the diversity, and promise, you’ll find.
- Kitty Oliver
posted by GuestBlogger-GFL at 12:03 PM
The City of Lauderdale Lakes and Behind the Scenes, Corp. will present the “Cease the Violence” Music Empowerment Conference, January 13 - 14, 2007. The free, two-day conference will provide practical information on careers and opportunities in the music industry while reinforcing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of peace, equality and empowerment.
Organizers have planned a slate of informative workshops and panel discussions, featuring a roster of dynamic speakers and industry professionals for the conference’s opening day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Boyd Anderson High School, 3050 NW 41 Street. Among the topics to be discussed are Managing Cross-Culture Conflict; Community Conflict Resolution; Economic Development; The Role of Hip-Hop in Politics; Effective Measures for Crowd Management; Music Business Education; Ownership; Industry Economics; Product Development/Marketing; and Financial Freedom.
Scheduled speakers include Teddy T of Street Hustler Enterprise; Prince Markie D, radio personality of 103.5 The Beat and member of the rap group the Fat Boys; Slip and Slide Records’ Julian Boothe; Allen Johnston, creator of the Music Specialist; Grammy-nominated producer Bigg D; and BET’s DJ Q45 of Rap City.
“A Message in the Music-It’s a Family Affair” Music Concert, featuring gospel, rap, R&B, jazz, neo-soul and reggae performances by local artists and DJs will close out the weekend’s events on Sunday, January 14 from 2 to 6 p.m., at Vincent Torres Park, 4331 NW 36 Street.
Online registration is available at www.bhindthescenes.com; registration forms are also available at Boyd H. Anderson High School, 3050 NW 41 Street; Vincent Torres Memorial Park Administration Office, 4331 NW 36 Street; and Willie Webb Senior Park, 3601 NW 21 Street.
For more information, contact the Parks and Leisure Services Department at (954) 535-2835.
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