Community unites with hope of extending Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy

rashad_taylor — Keynote Speaker Rashad Taylor

Decatur County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield

A good crowd of people filled the Hutto Middle School gym in Bainbridge on Monday to remember the life’s work of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

See more pictures below

In his welcome, Decatur County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield said that although he was born only a couple of years before Dr. King died, he had a chance to study his words, speeches and works later in life. Dr. Rayfield said he observed four common themes in Dr. King’s words:

Love
Education
Service
Equity (fairness)

Dr. Rayfield also said he was personally inspired by two of Dr. King’s quotes:

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”

See some of the musical selections and brief remarks at Bainbridge’s MLK Jr. Memorial Service, held in the Hutto Middle School gym:

Brock Washington with the Decatur County chapter of the NAACP

Decatur County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dennis Brinson noted how people all over the world have grown to admire and love the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brinson said he believed many have been inspired by his nonviolent approach to fighting racism.

“Dr. King gave so much and taught so many,” Brinson said. “We are standing on his shoulders and those of countless others.”

Bainbridge Public Safety Director Eric Miller said his agency’s mission statement includes an emphasis on providing fair and equal treatment.

“We’re your neighbors and our kids go to school together,” Miller said. “At Public Safety, we want to continue partnering with the community to provide services that serve all citizens.”

Brock Washington, with the Decatur County chapter of the NAACP, said King believed in the phrase “liberty and justice for all” and fought to preserve the rights of all Americans under the Constitution. Washington encouraged people to make sure they are registered to vote and participate in all elections.

The keynote speaker was Rashad Taylor, a political consultant who has worked both in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Ga. His address was in part inspired to Dr. King’s 1963 sermon, “A Knock at Midnight.” Hear Taylor’s remarks below.