Hundreds gathered at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church on MLK Day for a youth rally and march to honor the slain civil rights legend and pledge to keep the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alive.
Tobin Oputa, a 15-year-old Brentwood High School student, carried a sign reading “Melt ICE,” a reference to what some see as human rights abuses that peaked with the protests. Fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester By federal immigration officials.
“It is really important to educate the country about MLK and his dream and not let him die,” said Oputa, one of several youth ambassadors who helped plan the Jan. 19 event.
“I’m just marching for MLK and what’s happening today, and so we can stand together against some of the evil things that are happening in our country,” said another Brentwood student, Marlee McGruder, 16.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell spoke at the event, noting the large crowd of young adults, teens and children.
“The young people here today are the dreamers,” he said.
The mayor pledged that the city would continue to invest in youth, “particularly youth of color,” through programs in communities and schools as well as safe after-school spaces.
Christian Brough and other members of Tennessee State University’s New Direction Gospel Choir sing a song that inspired Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Aaron Marple To stand and sing while applauding. Before the show, Breaux, 24, said it’s important for young people and teens to understand the importance of the ongoing civil rights movement.
“It is essential that young people understand history and traditions, so that they are not only read about in textbooks,” she said. “It’s real life and it affects them.”
Marple, president Interdenominational Ministers’ FellowshipHe said he was thrilled by the event, planned by high school and college students, and feels confident they will carry on King’s legacy.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to hand it over to them,” he said. “Allowing them to have that endorsement has energy behind it.”
The event – part of a week-long celebration led by… Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowship – The match started on the church campus, where student ambassador Austin Brown prayed, saying: “Lord, strengthen us to stand against injustice.”
Meharry Medical College Student Keona Gwen spoke about the many health inequalities that disproportionately affect Black populations, including: maternal mortality; food insecurity; asthma; Chronic diseases and mental health challenges.
His colleague Mahrian Jaylen Dyson, whose studies focus on data science, spoke about other injustices, such as redistricting efforts that would reduce minority representation and police racial profiling.
“I had a dream that turned into a nightmare,” he said. “We allowed the world to revert to injustice, and watched our house burn while we were distracted by the latest dances and social media indulgences.”
Young people started the civil rights movement decades ago and can be a base player today, Dyson said.
“I want to get in good trouble, necessary trouble,” he said. “I want you to ask yourself: What could I do in my youth?” “
Sir James Wood IIIa TSU Youth Ambassador, issued a call to action to fellow youth to stay informed and engaged, to vote and show up for their communities.
“Speak up when something is wrong, even when your voice is shaking,” he said. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of it.”
“The baton is in your hands now. How you turn your leg in the race will shape generations yet to be born. Run with purpose, run with integrity. But most importantly, run with love.”
As the demonstration ended, the crowd poured into the street behind a row of sparkling tubas. They walked behind Crows Percussion Marching Band From Cane Ridge High School on the way to TSU.
As McGruder walked, the teen held up a sign that read: “You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream.”
Beth Warren covers health care and can be reached at bwarren@tennessean.com or on X at @BethWarrenCJ.
This article originally appeared in Nashville Tennessee: Nashville youth march in pursuit of continuing MLK Jr.’s mission