Older gentlemen, with canes and snow white hair, marched beside young boys — and even baby boys in strollers — last Sunday afternoon from Cheraw Town Hall to Pee Dee Union Baptist Church. They marched not only to remember, but to teach.
Their march commemorated the memory of a man whose dreams of freedom cost him his life. But their march, and their words, were not all about the past. What they hope to carry forward, and instill within the heart’s of today’s youth, is the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This is the third year now that at least 100 black men, mostly dressed in nice black suits, have taken this march through downtown in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The march ends with a service at the church, where they are joined by the women of the community.
James Sweeney, chairman of the Chesterfield County School Board, was one of the speakers for the event. He shared several of his favorite quotes from King’s speeches with the overflowing crowd.
Among those quotes, one stood out as being especially pertinent to the message Cheraw’s 100 Black Men hope to pass to future generations. “Injustice anywhere, is a threat everywhere,” he said.
— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, or by email at kkissiah@civitasmedia.com.
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