MLK Community Celebration: A Call To Greatness

MONTGOMERY, TX -- In an uplifting message of hope, inspiration, and belief, Montgomery’s Black Community came together this past Saturday at the Lone Star Community Center, welcoming folks of all races to share in the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Presented by the Dr. MLK Community Improvement Organization, the 10th Annual MLK Celebration Program with its theme “A Call To Greatness,” shined the light on the young and talented Black youth that Montgomery has on offer, and reminded us that we all, of any ethnicity, have something to contribute to seeing that the youth are raised right, and ready to lead life with character and honor.

The initial gathering had been postponed due to the ice storm of January 15th, but thanks to the persistence of Ann Wilkerson, the wife of Montgomery Mayor-Pro Tem T.J. Wilkerson, the ceremony went on without a flaw.

Many thanks go out to Boy Scout Troop 907, led by Scoutmaster Mat Wilson, whose scouts presented Our Nation’s Colors; and kudos to Montgomery Mayor Byron Sanford, for his City Welcome, as well as the Opening Prayer and Benediction. Members of the City Council, Cheryl Fox and Carol Langley, and MISD School Board, Linda Porten and Shawn Denison, also attended.

Arnette Easley, did a wonderful job in filling in for Rev. Paul W. Brown, Sr., and if you didn’t know Mr. Easley, you’d think he was a long time preacher. Sister Mimi Boyd sang a beautiful rendition of “Deliver Me,” while Jonas McClain, Jr. played several instrumental pieces with his Soprano Saxophone, of which both received a wonderful applause. E.J. ”James” Wilkerson presented “The Welcome” on behalf of the MLK-CIO.

“At this Dr. King celebration, we have a chance to look back and reflect on how far we have evolved as a community,” said Mr. James. He graduated from the Montgomery Segregated School in the 1960s, persevered, going onto college, and spending over 45 years in an oilfield services career, maintaining the integrity of pipelines.

Two young students read short compositions that reflected the Spirit of the Celebration of the Civil Rights Movement. Ashanti Jones, 11, read “A Treasured Champion,” an homage to Rosa Parks, who’s brave show of defiance on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus, sparked the Civil Rights Movement, and gave rise to Dr. King’s Call to Greatness. Baron Wilkerson, distinguished himself with his short essay on Dr. King, calling for all people, not just Blacks, to uplift themselves for the advancement of the community.

“Rosa Parks sat down so I could stand up,” said Jones, a 5th Grader, who aspires to be a singer one day.

Arnette Easley, dovetailed off of Wilkerson, with the inspirational tale of an Australian man, Nick Vujicic, who suffers from tetra-amelia syndrome, meaning he was born without any arms or legs. And despite all the pitfalls and struggles of his youth, Vujicic was giving motivational talks by 17, and graduated Griffith University with a double major in commerce and accounting. Today, Nick is an evangelist traveling The World, and credits Dr. King for his message of hope, and the possibilities that life offers.

“Unity unchecked is like a cancer,” said Easley. “We must all stand strong through the storm, because we are built together to serve.”

Montgomery Independent School District Administrative Assistant Linda Bailey, introduced her boss, newly minted Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin, who was previously Superintendent of the Normangee Independent School District. Dr. Ruffin brings to Montgomery a young family, and a willingness to shepherd his energy to ensure that each student in MISD ends their day feeling loved and respected.

“I am honored to be a part of this ceremony to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr,” said Ruffin. ”To celebrate the life and impact of Dr. King, I hope that the words and music you hear today encourages you, to reflect on your lives and actions, and your commitments for the betterment of our community.”

Ruffin praised the readers and musicians of the ceremony. He inquired into the Soprano Sax of Jonas McClain, Jr., of which the Doctor noted his distinct lack of musical ability, but he makes up for it with his educational and organizational talents.

Dr. Ruffin is not concerned with formalities. He encourages all to come and say “hello,” for he is committed to being part of the community to see Montgomery as a welcoming place for all. Ruffin’s wife, Bay, grew up in Montgomery for part of her childhood and attended an MISD school. He has had assignments in large and small school campuses, in both rural and urban areas.

“One thing that is consistent in all arenas of education is our children,” said Dr. Ruffin. “Which is why I make my goal to keep students centered at everything that we do.”

Ruffin answers to a higher power, and he aims not to disappoint the man upstairs. He recognizes that some kids need extra attention, whether it's financial, physical, academic, emotional or social support. His assignments have included affluent and impoverished areas, and he understands that each child does not fit the mold of a cookie cutter ideal childhood. Nor are all parents equal in their love and care for their children. Fully one-third of MISD students are considered economically impoverished.

Dr. Ruffin touted the achievements of Rita Pierson, a Black teacher who came from a background of educators from multiple generations, and had a storied 40-year career as a teacher and principal. Ms. Pierson, stressed the human connection she had with her students. The simple formation of relationships between students and teachers, is the key in how students respond in the classroom, and furthers their chances at having a more successful life in general. Ruffin’s approach is to scrape away the tough skin teachers have built up, to bring them Down to Earth, so that they teach with the students, rather than teach at them. To teach them to critically think, rather than telling them what to think.

Ms. Pierson’s motivational ideas brought her classes closer together, and it linked with Dr. King’s message of hope, inspiration, and belief. Teachers have to be powerful and strong for themselves, and for their students, so when they grow up, they can be the same for others, who are not as strong for themselves, yet. It’s a cycle of goodness that pays itself forward, and that’s the message that Dr. Ruffin has for his students, teachers, and staff. You plant the seed, you watch the seed growing into a productive plant. And of course, the plant must be maintained with constant attention until the plant can produce its own seed, and the process repeats. Focus on the positive, not the negative. Raise the level of low expectations to the highest.

Dr. King left a legacy that cannot be denied. Some are trying to destroy it with policies that defy reality, those who overlook content of character, choosing solely on color of skin. King’s message was about raising Black educational standards, not lowering them. He envisioned Black students running on the same merits as students of other races, and not having the government pick and choose which students will benefit from their policies. Dr. King most certainly did not fail Black students, nor the Black community. And any evidence of those occurrences fall on the shoulders of others wishing to control and not to advance.

“I cannot help but think of the duty we have, not just as educators, but as members of our community, churches, and families,“ said Ruffin. “I encourage you to be actively engaged in all aspects of our community with our young people, and you can answer that call.”

Dr. Ruffin has bought into Dr. King’s idea that intelligence and character are the true goals of education. He’s fighting against those who believe that the disadvantaged or minorities are incapable of achieving standards set for all students, sometimes referred to as “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” Ruffin knows that training students builds up character, passion, respect, resilience, grit, and citizenship, amongst other traits. That has to be the goal, for nothing else will suffice.

The Superintendent understands that many students are faced with highs and lows in life. He lost his Mother to cancer after a long battle, but was soon overjoyed with the boy of his oldest son. With his youngest son, who was born in May 2020, Ruffin was happy, then he received news less than a week later that his Father had passed away.

Dr. Ruffin wants to impress upon his students that life is hard, and the peaks and valleys that come along with our lives, are maintainable with a good quality education and the character building that comes along with it. He wants his students to do the hard, because everyone else is doing the easy. It’s the same philosophy as Dr. King preached, to rise to the occasion, to set goals for yourself that you may not be able to achieve, but at least you tried, and you didn’t let anyone hold you back. It falls in line with his famous saying, “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree … Be the best of whatever you are.”

“Education does not stop because you walk across the stage,” said Ruffin. “For you are just beginning to learn.”

Ann Wilkerson then spoke thanking all those who participated in the ceremony. T.J. Wilkerson, followed by giving a little history of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. He noted that slavery is a part of Black history, and that enslaved ancestors should be revered, and used as an example of how far Blacks in Montgomery have risen since the founding of the town, when it was traded for eight enslaved persons in 1837.

“I was pleased with the entire program. It was beautiful,” said Joe Jackson, Jr., a lifetime resident of Montgomery. “The message of Dr. King is still very much alive.”

Donations can be mailed to: Dr. MLK Community Improvement Organization, P.O. Box 568, Montgomery, TX 77356

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net