From Washington to Abilene: Taking Strides Toward a Dream
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: January 22, 2013
People of all colors, nationalities, and religion walked hand in hand as they remembered the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr .
"He really was the beginning of it all," says Sammye Stuart.
Singing, marching and reflecting.
"Years ago, we didn't have the freedom to do anything."
Monday afternoon brought back several memories for so many people.
James Francis Jr. says, "I remember one time we walked here and there were only two of us....ice was everywhere. That's been about eight or nine years ago."
Francis says at that time it was almost impossible to get people out to walk, so to see it go from two to over a hundred, is truly amazing.
"People begin to learn more and more, the importance of the work that Dr. Martin Luther King did," Francis continues.
Francis knows from first hand experience just how important the work of Dr. King is. He tells me about a conversation he had with the late civil rights leader.
He says, "It was in Houston, Texas. I had the opportunity to talk with him. I admired him for his ability and his method, that he used to go about and accomplish things."
Things like integration. Having the freedom to coexist with all races is why Patsy Flores marches proudly.
She says, "It's an honor for me because of him I could walk to any restaurant and order whatever i want to eat and a glass of water and i can use any restroom in town, anywhere."
What once was a dream, has changed our nation forever.
Francis says, "So you have to know the history as to what did happen," to appreciate what is happening, "we can walk across the bridge, in Abilene, Texas on 80.. it makes me feel good."
Moving forward, from Washington to Abilene. A few steps closer to a dream, shared by so many.
"He really was the beginning of it all," says Sammye Stuart.
Singing, marching and reflecting.
"Years ago, we didn't have the freedom to do anything."
Monday afternoon brought back several memories for so many people.
James Francis Jr. says, "I remember one time we walked here and there were only two of us....ice was everywhere. That's been about eight or nine years ago."
Francis says at that time it was almost impossible to get people out to walk, so to see it go from two to over a hundred, is truly amazing.
"People begin to learn more and more, the importance of the work that Dr. Martin Luther King did," Francis continues.
Francis knows from first hand experience just how important the work of Dr. King is. He tells me about a conversation he had with the late civil rights leader.
He says, "It was in Houston, Texas. I had the opportunity to talk with him. I admired him for his ability and his method, that he used to go about and accomplish things."
Things like integration. Having the freedom to coexist with all races is why Patsy Flores marches proudly.
She says, "It's an honor for me because of him I could walk to any restaurant and order whatever i want to eat and a glass of water and i can use any restroom in town, anywhere."
What once was a dream, has changed our nation forever.
Francis says, "So you have to know the history as to what did happen," to appreciate what is happening, "we can walk across the bridge, in Abilene, Texas on 80.. it makes me feel good."
Moving forward, from Washington to Abilene. A few steps closer to a dream, shared by so many.
