Stephens County marks MLK Day

Stephens County marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Black Christian Men Association of Toccoa and Stephens County again organized the annual interfaith service and march Monday.

Following the interfaith service at Trinity C.M.E. Church, marchers walked to Toccoa City Hall where this year’s oratorical contest winner, Ashli Brooks, read her winning essay.

Brooks topic was “strive to walk in the footsteps of Dr. King.”

“As I think about the struggles that many African Americans have to go through, I realize that they were very unselfish and were always willing to fight for what they wanted,” Brooks said. “If I’m being honest, it’s scary to think about how the generations have changed, and how they continue to change. We have become adaptive to people and things to do things for us. People such as, family and friends; things such as websites like Uber and Grub Hub.”

She continued by addressing both young men and women.

“Young men, as a young lady, I would like to see a change,” she said. “Less gang bangers and more lawyers, less slang and more ‘yes ma’am and no ma’am.’ Young ladies, as a young lady myself I understand how it feels to want someone who loves you, but we have to stop falling for everything a guy says because it’s just going to end bad.”

Brooks also had a reminder for parents before finishing her essay with a quote from Dr. King.

“Parents, as a parent you have to continue to guide us in the right direction even when it feels like we’re not listening, because you’re our only hope,” Brooks said. “Let us always remember the ones who have helped us through our lives.  As you go through this day, remember this quote ‘The ones who watched the world become changed will be forgotten, but the ones who helped the world become changed will be remembered.’”

This was the 28^th anniversary celebration of Dr. King in Stephens County.

Monday’s events concluded two weekends of activities honoring Dr. King that also included an art contest, a talent and fashion show, a musical extravaganza, and “Senior Reflections.”