Forty-five minutes prior the start of the 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade, community members lined up and down MLK Blvd, seeking the best view. I found the perfect spot, near the grand stand, on the curb in front of Ernest McBride, Sr. Park. Many on-lookers were catching up with old friends, and conversing about their Inaugural Celebration plans. I struck up a conversation with the man standing next to me and learned he is the son of Mr. Ernest McBride, Sr. I asked if I could take a picture of him in front of the park named after his father. He declined and invited me to a Black History Celebration being dedicated to his father during Black History Month, and told me I could take a picture of him then.
As I looked around I remembered I was in one of the most impoverished areas in the city… an area the press has referred to as the “quadrant of crime.” I did not see that community. I saw a community proud to share in the celebration of Dr. King, a community proud to say, “I live here and this is our parade.”
I stood among the many parents that were waiting to catch a glimpse of their children participating in the parade; my daughter would be in this parade! I was overjoyed with my seven-year-old son at my side, proud to know that he knew where we were, and why we were there… to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As I watched the first entry make its way down the street, my excitement grew. I felt Dr. King’s legacy coming to life! I could see the face of President-Elect Barack Obama as I heard the words of Dr. King in my head “…I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you.” I leaned down, kissed my son on the head, and told him “I love you”… knowing he will have a brighter future.
As the Grand Marshalls arrived to the grandstand they shared a few words with the crowd. They spoke words of peace, continuing the dream, and how each of us is part of history in the making. With each message, the crowd, especially the mature citizens, smiled and nodded in agreement. The Grand Marshalls represented the accomplishments and power of the community and the City of Long Beach. They were: Congresswoman Laura Richardson; Naomi Rainey, President of the Long Beach Chapter NAACP; Dr. Lydia A. Hollie, Chair of the City Long Beach the Weed and Seed Steering Committee; Clarence Smith, Previous 6th District Councilmember; Sara Pol-Lim, Executive Director of the United Cambodian Community; Lillian Wesley, the 1st African American Grand Marshall of the LB MLK Parade; and community leaders Dr. Ebenezer Bush and Luther Evans, Sr. They all continue to make contributions toward improving the quality of life in the 6th District and the city as a whole.
Each parade entry told a story of strength, diversity and values. Many organizations and groups look forward to strutting their stuff in the MLK Parade. As I heard the 2nd Line music, from the LA LA (Louisiana to LA Organizing Committee) entry, I began to strut mine. I was instantly reminded that for many of us our roots did not start in Long Beach. We are extensions of vast cultures and that it is okay to… “Do Watcha Wanna” (the name of the song that was playing). Then it came to me as an “Ah Ha!” moment…
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade is more than a tribute to Dr. King, it is more that a parade, it is an opportunity for the community to embrace itself and recognize its leaders and the great diversity of the city. The King Parade is a history lesson ABOUT the community FOR the community.
