Martin Luther King celebration comes to Valley

Frontiersman editorial board

On Monday, Jan. 20, Valley Performing Arts will co-sponsor an event that celebrates the life of Martin Luther King Jr. "Visions of Community: A Mat-Su Celebration of Dr. King Jr." will begin at 3 p.m. at the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.

This event is the first of its kind in the Valley, and should be a great opportunity for people here to celebrate and learn about the life of one of the most influential Americans of the 20th century. King's nonviolent approach to public protest was one of the most positive, and most influential, factors leading to some of the great successes in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and '70s. His words and actions influenced an entire generation, and the changes he helped to create will remain as a legacy to his faith and unyielding commitment to equality and liberty.

The event in Wasilla will feature speakers from a wide range of backgrounds, and mayors Tim Anderson and Dianne Keller will present proclamations. Other speakers will range from a Valley homesteader to a recent Ukrainian immigrant. There will also be presentations from youths aged seven to 15 who will read letters to Dr. King originally written by children from Memphis, Tenn. in 1998 -- 30 years after his death.

Another highlight will be a presentation by Mahala Ashley Dickerson, who was Alabama's first black female attorney in 1948. In 1959 she became Alaska's first black attorney.

At a time when international tensions are running high, and when differences between cultures and religions are more evident than they have been for some time, this may be an ideal moment to remember the life and words of a man who accomplished much through peaceful means. King was able to give voice to the quest for racial equality, and he helped to permanently knock down many barriers with eloquence, patience and perseverance. His memory can tell us much about the power of determination and the strength of compassion and faith.

The event is free to the public, though space limitations will mean only the first 150 will be admitted. We hope that every seat will be full, and we congratulate the sponsors of this event for providing this opportunity for all of us to share the memory of such a great American.