Macedonia Baptist Church Minister Bruce Goldson had a message Monday for anyone fearing this week’s transfer of presidential power from Barack Obama to Donald Trump:
Think of what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. achieved during his life — and the adversity he faced while doing it.
Goldson said that having faith in God, strength, and power, as King put it, is crucial.
“On the 28th of August 1963 he said ‘I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed … All men are created equal,’” Minister Goldson said during a celebration of King’s legacy Monday. “January of 2009 the election of the first black president, Barack Obama, was the day our ancestors dreamed of.”
This year’s annual celebration of the civil rights icon took place as the country is more divided than ever. The incoming president uses Twitter to lash out at opponents, including the media, rival politicians, and late night sketch comedy shows.
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NBCNews</a> is bad but Saturday Night Live is the worst of NBC. Not funny, cast is terrible, always a complete hit job. Really bad television!</p>— Donald J. Trump (realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2017
On Saturday, for example, he tweeted an attack on John Lewis, a civil rights leader and who spoke during the March on Washington, and had recently questioned Trump’s legitimacy.
But, in Ansonia Monday, people of different political persuasions sat together in a show of unity.
Don’t lose hope, Goldson urged those celebrating King’s legacy Monday.
“We fled the cotton fields to go to the White House,” Goldson said. “From housekeepers to scientists. From ditch diggers to engineers. We’ve come a long way. 2017 is not the time to lose hope. It’s the time to stand firmly hand in hand, arm in arm. 2017 is not a year of fear, but a year of promise.”
If King could help inspire such dramatic changes in public views about race and civil rights during his time, then we should look to his example to continue his work, Goldson said.
“Therefore on this celebration I’m here to remind you that it’s not just a birthday celebration, but a memorial to a great legacy,” Goldson said.
While Trump has angered many, Goldson said, the country will be OK if people follow King’s example.
“He’s separated himself from the true American ideal. But I say it doesn’t matter what he says or what he does, as long as we have the Lord on our side,” Minister Goldson said.
The celebration also included speeches from Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti, new state Sen. George Logan, and Rev. Alfred Smith, Jr., as well as scripture readings from Goldson and songs sung by the church choir.
“Today we pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Cassetti said. “I stood here almost a year ago to this day and talked about one of my most favorite quotes from Dr. King, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?’ I ask myself that every morning when I get ready for my job. Being mayor of this great city is an honor and a privilege because every day I get the opportunity to do for others.”
Cassetti mentioned later that he plans to put a bust of King in Gatison Park in Ansonia.
The park is named after John Gatison, the city’s first African American Alderman, who was elected in 1971.
“I’m going to see about getting some money together and talk to the pastors,” Cassetti said. “The city will probably contribute some money. I’m hoping the bust will be up between now and maybe next year.”
The artist is Watson Mere. https://t.co/DgzTrnYqLT pic.twitter.com/sdgovTMlq6
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 16, 2017
