>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
*
>> BECAUSE I HAVE A DREAM THAT
MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE
DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY
WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR
OF THEIR SKIN, BUT BY THE
CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HELLO.
I'M JONATHAN OVERBY.
WELCOME TO THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN'S 40TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE
HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR.
COMING UP, YOU'LL SEE HIGHLIGHTS
FROM TODAY'S EVENT RECORDED HERE
IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.
THE THEME THIS YEAR IS "STAND
FOR JUSTICE.
" TODAY'S GUEST SPEAKER IS
DR. OLLIE WATTS DAVIS, AN
INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED
PERFORMER AND PROFESSOR OF VOICE
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
OUR COVERAGE OF TODAY'S EVENT
INCLUDES MUSIC, THE PRESENTATION
OF TWO MLK HERITAGE AWARDS, AND
PLENTY OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE
HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY'S TRIBUTE
HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR.
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS *
* ALL OF MY BURDENS, PROBLEMS
* IF I HAVE A QUESTION
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL OF MY BURDENS, PROBLEMS
* IF I HAVE A QUESTION
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL OF MY BURDENS, PROBLEMS
* IF I HAVE A QUESTION
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* ALL OF MY BURDENS, PROBLEMS
* IF I HAVE A QUESTION
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
[CLAPPING]
* WHATEVER THE PROBLEM *
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS *
* I KNOW THAT HE CAN SOLVE IT
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* THIS AND THAT
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* HE CAN HANDLE IT; THAT'S A
FACT *
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL
* HE'S THE MASTER OF THEM ALL
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
[CLAPPING]
* WHATEVER THE PROBLEM
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* I KNOW THAT HE CAN SOLVE IT
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* THIS AND THAT
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* HE CAN HANDLE IT; THAT'S A
FACT *
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* THIS AND THAT
* THIS, THIS, THIS AND THAT *
* THIS AND THAT
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* HE CAN HANDLE IT; THAT'S A
FACT *
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
* NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL
* HE'S THE MASTER OF THEM ALL
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL
* YES, I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL
* I PUT IT ALL IN HIS HANDS
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
*
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M GOVERNOR TONY EVERS.
>> YES!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO
WISCONSIN'S 40TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE
AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I'M PLEASED TO JOIN YOU ALL
AS WE GATHER ONCE AGAIN TO
CONTEMPLATE AND CELEBRATE THE
PURSUIT OF EQUALITY FOR ALL.
TODAY'S THEME, "STAND FOR
JUSTICE," BRINGS TOGETHER
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM ACROSS
OUR STATE AND THE MIDWEST, MANY
OF WHOM SEEK TO ELIMINATE WHAT
DEVDIVIDES US.
AND NOW PLEASE JOIN ME IN
WELCOMING THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
AND DIRECTOR OF OUR ANNUAL MLK
TRIBUTE, WISCONSIN'S OWN
DR. JONATHAN OVERBY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
CURTIS EUBANKS IS A SINGER,
SONGWRITER AND MUSICIAN FROM
MILWAUKEE.
HE SHAIR SHARED HIS MUSIC ACROSS THE
U.S., AFRICA AND THE U.K.
HE SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE
MARQUETTE GOSPEL CHOIR.
HE OVERSEES WORSHIP AND CREATIVE
ARTS AT THE ADULLAM OUTREACH
ORGANIZATION.
PLEASE WELCOME GOSPEL ARTIST
CURTIS EUBANKS.
[APPLAUSE]
*
* NOT A SECOND OR ANOTHER
MINUTE *
* NOT AN HOUR OR ANOTHER DAY *
* AT THE STATE CAPITOL, WITH MY
ARMARMS OUTSTRETCHED *
* LORD, I NEED YOU TO MAKE A
WAY *
* AS YOU HAVE DONE SO MANY TIMES
BEFORE *
* YOU MADE A WAY THROUGH A
WINDOW OR AN OPEN DOOR *
* I STRETCH MY HANDS TO THEE *
* COME RESCUE ME *
* I NEED YOU RIGHT AWAY *
* I NEED YOU NOW *
* NOT ANOTHER SECOND *
* OR ANOTHER MINUTE *
* NOT AN HOUR OR ANOTHER DAY *
* GOD, I NEED YOU RIGHT AWAY *
[APPLAUSE] * THE
* THE AGONY OF BEING ALONE *
* THE FEAR OF HAVING TO DO
THINGS ON MY OWN *
* THE TESTS AND TRIALS THAT COME
TO MAKE ME STRONG *
* I HAVE FEELINGS OF GUILT,
HURT, SHAME AND DEFEAT *
* THE WAVES OF TRIAL THAT BEAT
ON ME *
* BUT TO KNOW, LORD, THAT IN YOU
I'VE GOT VICTORY *
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
* I NEED YOU NOW *
* O, I NEED YOU NOW *
* I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW, RIGHT
NOW, RIGHT NOW *
* I NEED YOU NOW, NOW *
* NOT ANOTHER SECOND OR ANOTHER
MINUTE *
* NOT AN HOUR OR DAY *
* BUT, GOD, I YOU *
* NO ONE LOVES LIKE YOU *
* GOD, I NEED YOU *
* NO ONE HEALS LIKE YOU *
* GOD, I NEED YOU *
* AS WE TRAVEL THROUGH THIS
STRANGE LAND, I NEED YOU *
* I NEED YOU *
* LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING HAD A
DREAM *
* NO ONE MAKES DREAMS COME TRUE
LIKE YOU *
* I NEED YOU AND I NEED YOU
RIGHT AWAY *
* CLAP YOUR HANDS AND SAY I NEED
YOU RIGHT AWAY *
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> CURTIS EUBANKS.
PROBABLY GOING TO COME UP HERE
AND TOUCH EVERYBODY.
WELL, HE'S FROM MILWAUKEE, BUT
THAT'S NOT THE END OF OUR
MILWAUKEE REPRESENTATION.
THIS AFTERNOON FROM BREWTOWN, WE
HAVE THE VIOLIN AND CELLO DUO,
SSISTASTRINGS.
THEY INFUSE THEIR MUSIC WITH
GOSPEL.
THEY'VE PERFORMED AT CARNEGIE
HALL, WITH THE MILWAUKEE
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, THE MADISON
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
THEY'RE ON THE FACULTY OF THE
WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.
PLEASE GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO
SISTASTRINGS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
* BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER *
* BRIDGE OVER WATER *
* IN THE WATER *
*
* DON'T TROUBLE THE WATERS *
* WHY DON'T YOU, WHY DON'T YOU
LET IT BE *
* STILL WATER RUNS DEEP *
* YES, IT
* O YEAH *
* WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT ON
THE STREET *
* WHEN EVENING FALLS SO HARD
* I WILL COMFORT YOU
* I'LL TAKE YOUR PART, OH, WHEN
DARKNESS COMES *
* AND PAIN IS ALL AROUND
* LIKE A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED
WATER *
* I WILL LAY ME DOWN
* LIKE A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED
WATER *
* I WILL LAY ME DOWN
*
* SAIL ON SILVER GIRL
* SAIL ON BY
* THE TIME HAS COME TO SHINE
* AND ALL YOUR DREAMS ARE ON
THEIR WAY *
* SEE HOW THEY SHINE
* OH, WHEN YOU NEED A FRIEND
* WHEN YOU FRIEND *
* I'M SAILING RIGHT BEHIND
* LIKE A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED
WATER *
* I WILL EASE YOUR MIND
* LIKE A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED
WATER *
* I WILL EASE YOUR MIND
*
* DON'T TROUBLE THE WATER *
* WHY DON'T YOU, WHY DON'T YOU
LET IT BE *
* STILL WATER RUNS DEEP *
* YES, IT DO *
* O YEAH *
* DON'T TROUBLE THE WATER *
* MOVE ON *
* WHY DON'T YOU, WHY DON'T YOU
LET IT BE *
* STILL WATER RUNS DEEP *
* YES, IT DO *
* O YEAH *
*
* OOOH *
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE]
>> CORINDA RAINEY-MOORE
CURRENTLY WORKS AS AN OUTREACH
AND ENGAGEMENT MATTER, SERVANT
LEADER.
SHE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE
CITY'S DOC COMMISSION, MADISON
LEAGUE OF THE GUILD.
SHE SERVES ON THE FOUNDATION FOR
BLACK WOMEN'S WELLNESS,
LEADERSHIP WISCONSIN, BRIDGE
LAKEPOINT COMMUNITY CENTER AND
MORE.
SHE IS A PEACEMAKER IN THE
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COURT AND A
MEMBER OF THE ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA
SORORITY.
YOU HAD TO SLIP THAT IN THERE.
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT
CORINDA RAINEY-MOORE IS THE
RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN
2020 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M SO
HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD
TODAY ON BEHALF OF MY HUSBAND,
MY KIDS, WHO ALLOW ME TO BE ALL
THAT I NEED TO BE IN THE
COMMUNITY, I WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU, BECAUSE I COULDN'T DO IT
WITHOUT YOU ALL.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY BOSS,
BECAUSE I HAVE A BOSS THAT
ALLOWS ME TO BE FLEXIBLE WHEN I
NEED TO BE SO THAT I CAN DO WHAT
I DO IN THE COMMUNITY.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE
GOVERNOR.
THANK YOU FOR THIS AWARD.
AND JUST LIKE DR. KING, SERVICE
IS WHO I AM AND IT IS THE PRICE
THAT WE PAY FOR BEING HERE ON
EARTH.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT OUR KIDS CAN'T
SEE US .F
IF THEY DON'T SEE US, THEY DON'T
BELIEVE IT.
AND SO WE HAVE TO BE THERE FOR
OUR YOUTH SO THAT THEY CAN KNOW
THAT THEY CAN BE ALL THAT THEY
CAN BE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, JONATHAN
OVERBY, AND THE REST OF THE MLK
COMMISSIONERS FOR GIVING ME THIS
AWARD.
AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, CORINDA
RAINEY-MOORE.
>> WITH MEMBERS REPRESENTING
VARIOUS CITIES ACROSS WISCONSIN,
I'M DELIGHTED TO HAVE FOR THE
FIRST TIME AT THE KING
CELEBRATION UNDER THE DIRECTION
OF LATRICE STANLEY THE FALL
GOSPEL FEST CHOIR.
PLEASE GIVE THEM A HAND.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
*
* WE WORK FOR HIM WITH ALL THAT
WE SAY AND DO *
*
SNO* LIFT HIM HIGHER, LIFTS HIM
HIGHER *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER WHILE YOU HAVE
A CHANCE *
* WE'VE COME TO WORSHIP HIM IN
ALL THAT HE SAY AND DO *
* WE'VE COME TO WORSHIP HIM IN
ALL THAT WE SAY AND DO *
* WE COME TO SING OF HIS
GOODNESS AND SING OF HIS LOVE *
* WE'VE COME TO SING OF HIS
GREATNESS *
* THAT'S SENT FROM UP ABOVE *
* WHY NOT JUST LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER WHILE YOU HAVE
A CHANCE *
* LIFT YOUR HANDS IN THE
SANCTUARY AND BLESS THE LORD
WITH ME *
* GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT HE'S DONE
AND THE HEALING IN MY LIFE *
* LIFT YOUR HANDS IN THE
SANCTIONING WEAR AND BLESS THE
LORD WITH ME *
* GIVE THANKS, O, O, O, O *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* HLI* LIFT HIM HIGHER FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER WHILE YOU HAVE
A CHANCE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* LIFT YOUR HANDS IN THE
SANCTUARY AND BLESS THE LORD
WITH ME *
* GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT HE'S DONE
AND THE HEALING IN MY LIFE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* H LIFT HIM HIGHER FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE *
SNO* LIFT HIM HIGHER WHILE YOU HAVE
A CHANCE *
[CLAPPING]
>> * LIFT HIM UP.
* LIFT HIM UP *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER.
* LIFT HIM UP.
* LIFT HIM UP
SNOAFT * LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* SING OF HIS GOODNESS *
* SING OF HIS MERCY *
* SING OF HIS GOODNESS *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER
* LIFT HIM HIGHER FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER
* LIFT HIM HIGHER FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER
* LIFT HIM HIGHER FOR ALL THE
WORLD TO SEE *
* LIFT HIM HIGHER
* WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE *
*
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
*
>> AND NOW IT IS MY PLEASURE TO
INTRODUCE TO YOU OUR GUEST
SPEAKER TODAY.
DR. OLLIE WATTS DAVIS IS A
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF
MUSIC, PROVOST, FELLOW AND
CONDUCTOR OF BLACK CHORUS AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT
URBANA-CHAMPAIGN.
SHE'S AN AUTHOR.
THESE CITATIONS ARE A MERE
GLIMPSE INTO THE MANY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR SPEAKER
TODAY, ORIGINALLY FROM WEST
VIRGINIA.
PLEASE WELCOME DR. OLLIE WATTS
DAVIS.
[APPLAUSE]
* MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE *
* SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY *
* OF TO THEE WE SING *
* LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED *
* LAND OF THE PILGRIMS' PRIDE *
* FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE *
* LET FREEDOM RING *
>> IT WAS EASTER SUNDAY MORNING.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
IT WAS EASTER SUNDAY MORNING,
APRIL 9, 1939, WHEN AMERICAN
MARIAN ANDERSON STOOD AT THE
STEPS OF THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL IN
WASHINGTON D.C. IN FRONT OF
75,000 PEOPLE AND OPENED THE
CONCERT THAT SHOOK THE
ESTABLISHMENT WITH THESE WORDS.
THIS WAS A WATERSHED MOMENT THAT
CREATED QUITE A STIR COMING FROM
THIS DIGNIFIED, ELEGANT, HUMBLE
ARTIST, WHO HAD BECOME AN
INTERNATIONALLY-KNOWN STAR,
PERFORMING EXTENSIVELY IN EUROPE
AND THE UNITED STATES, BUT WHO
HAD BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO
CONSTITUTION HALL, AN AUDITORIUM
OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION, FOR THIS, HER
CAPITAL RECITAL.
MISS ANDERSON, WHOSE VOICE WAS
HERALDED AS ONE THAT COMES
AROUND ONCE IN A HUNDRED YEARS
USED HER MOMENT.
ALTHOUGH PAINED BY INJUSTICE,
SHE USED HER DEFINING MOMENT AS
HER PLATFORM TO STAND FOR
JUSTICE.
AND THROUGH HER SINGING
CONFRONTED INJUSTICE WITH CLOSED
EYES, SHE LOOKED AMERICA
STRAIGHT IN THE EYE WITH HER
VOICE.
AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY DISARMED A
NATION.
SHE MADE AMERICA SEE HER
HUMANITY.
SHE ITERATED HER CITIZENSHIP BY
TAKING ARTISTIC LICENSE AS SHE
SANG "TO THEY WE SING" RATHER
THAN THE WRITTEN TEXT, "OF THEE
I SING."
SHE WAS IMPLYING COMMUNITY AND
GROUP RESPONSIBILITY, RECALLING
THE SITUATION IN 1939,
MISS ANDERSON LATER WROTE, I
COULD NOT RUN AWAY FROM THIS
SITUATION.
IF I HAD ANYTHING TO OFFER, I
WOULD HAVE TO DO IT NOW.
WE ALL HAVE MOMENTS, DEFINING
MOMENTS.
MY MOMENT BEGAN AS A LITTLE
BLACK GIRL FROM THE COAL FIELDS
OF WEST VIRGINIA.
RAISED IN A FEMALE-HEADED
HOUSEHOLD WHO GRADUATED HIGH
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE WITH HONORS.
MY MOMENT CONTINUED AT ILLINOIS
WHEN I JOINED THE FACULTY, FIRST
AS A GRADUATE STUDENT AND, AS AN
ASIDE, I HAD TWO OF MADISON'S
FINEST AS STUDENTS.
BOTH REVEREND LLOYD BITLE AND
MRS. BITTELL AS STUDENTS.
THEN AS A VISITING PROPER, ON TO
ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE AND FULL
PROFESSOR AND NOW AS UNIVERSITY
SCHOLAR, PROVOST AND
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR.
I SHARE THIS NOT TO BOAST, BUT
TO BUILD HOPE IN ANY YOUNG
PERSON LISTENING AND TRACE FOR
YOU A STUBBORN COMMITMENT TO A
SERIES OF MOMENTS ALONG MY
JOURNEY THAT I, BY THE GRACE OF
GOD, MAX SA MICE MAXIMIZED.
MISS ANDERSON USED HER MOMENT
BECAUSE SHE WAS PRESENT,
ACCOUNTED FOR AND ATTENTIVE.
HER MOMENT WAS OF MONUMENTAL
CONSEQUENCE.
FOR, YOU SEE, A TEN-YEAR-OLD BOY
WAS INFLUENCED BY THIS RECITAL.
AT AGE 15 HE WOULD WIN A
SPEAKING CONTEST AT HIS ATLANTIC
HIGH SCHOOL USING THE TOPIC THE
NEGRO AND THE CONSTITUTION.
HE WOULD STAND AT THESE VERY
SAME STEPS IN WASHINGTON IN 1963
AND WITH MISS ANDERSON AS ONE OF
THE PERFORMERS, HE WOULD INVOKE
THE WORDS OF AMERICA WHILE
DELIVERING HIS MONUMENTAL "I
HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH.
DR. KING SAID "THIS WILL BE THE
DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN
WILL BE ABLE TO SING WITH NEW
MEANING MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE,
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I
SING.
LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED, LAND
OF THE PILGRIMS' PRIDE.
FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET
FREEDOM RING.
MARIAN ANDERSON IS A MAJOR
FIGURE IN THE STAND FOR JUSTICE,
JOINED BY OTHER WOMEN, ELLA
BAKER, DIANE NASH, ROSA PARKS,
CORETTA SCOTT KING, MERRILY
EVERS, MOTHER ALBERTA KING AND
MANY, MANY MORE, TOO NUMEROUS TO
NAME.
AND I MUST MENTION THE MUSIC OF
BLACK AMERICA, WHICH IS AN
IMPORTANT CHARACTER IN THE
MOVEMENT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND
HAS PROVIDED THE SOUNDTRACK FOR
THIS REVOLUTION.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY IN THIS
STRENGTH AND TO GIVE THESE
FORERUNNERS THE RECOGNITION AND
THE HONOR THEY DESERVE.
AND I DON'T STAND ALONE.
YOU SEE, I'M PACKING DEEP TODAY.
I'M HERE ALONG WITH TWO OF MY
DAUGHTERS, ASHLEY M. DAVIS AND
CHARITY C. DAVIS, AND TWO OF MY
GRANDCHILDREN, CHARLIE EDWARD
DATES II AND CLAIRE ELIZABETH
DATES.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.
[APPLAUSE]
>> A STANDS FOR JUSTICE IS A
HIGH ROAD.
IT MAY APPEAR THREATENING.
WE MAY BE THREATENED AND WE MAY
HAVE TO THE THREAT.
DO WE HAVE THE WILL?
DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE?
THOSE BORN INTO PRIVILEGE, THOSE
WHO HOLD POSITION AND THOSE
VOTED INTO POWER MUST BE WILLING
TO TAKE A STAND, TO STAND FOR
JUSTICE.
WE MUST REALIZE THAT WE ARE IN
THE PLACES WE'RE IN AND WE HOLD
THE POSITIONS WE HOLD IN ORDER
TO SERVE OUR GENERATION FOR SUCH
A TIME AS THIS.
WE ARE CUSTODIANS OF THE
MOVEMENT, AND WE MUST DEVELOP
THE WORK THAT DR. KING STARTED.
WE MUST USE OUR POWER TO
TRANSFORM SOCIETY FOR THE
BETTER.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY, JUST
AS IN OUR SOCIETY IT'S OUR JOB,
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
WE MUST STEWARD RESPONSIBLY THIS
RESPONSIBILITY.
IN ADDITION TO HAVING DEFINING
MOMENTS, WE HAVE TO HAVE A CLEAR
MESSAGE.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF US IS STATED
PLAINLY IN THE WORDS OF MICAH.
NOW, HE'S OFTEN CONSIDERED A
MINOR PROPHET, BUT HE DELIVERED
A MAJOR MESSAGE.
IN CHAPTER 6, VERSE 8, HE SAYS
WE ARE TO DO JUSTICE, TO LOVE
MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH
OUR GOD.
AND WE MUST NOT WATER DOWN THIS
MESSAGE.
IN ORDER TO STAND FOR JUSTICE,
WE MUST KNOW WHAT INJUSTICE
LOOKS LIKE.
WE MUST NAME WHAT WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT.
WE MUST DELIVER A CLEAR MESSAGE.
WE MUST RECOGNIZE INJUSTICE,
RACIAL INEQUITIES IN THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND
POLICING, DISPARITIES IN
EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, MASS
UNEMPLOYMENT AND
UNDEREMPLOYMENT.
WE MUST MAKE THE SUFFERING OF
THE OPPRESSED VISIBLE TO THE
POINT WHERE IT CANNOT BE
IGNORED.
WE MUST CALL INJUSTICE WHAT IT
IS.
IN ADDITION TO HAVING --
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
IN ADDITION TO HAVING A DEFINING
MOMENT AND A CLEAR MESSAGE, WE
MUST EMPLOY A CREATOR METHOD.
WE MUST RESPOND TO INJUSTICE.
WE MUST EMPLOY WHAT DR. KING
CALLED CREATIVE TENSION, EXPOSE
INJUSTICE IN DRAMATIC WAYS.
YOU SEE, INJUSTICE CAN EXIST
BENEATH THE VENEER OF NORMALCY
AND SINCERITY.
WE MUST EXPOSE THE SIN IN
SINCERITY.
I AM A CREATOR AND I'M A
TEACHER.
I TEACH PEOPLE.
MUSIC IS THE PRINCIPLE SUBJECT
MATTER THAT I USE, ALONG WITH
SHARING TRANSFERABLE LIFE
SKILLS.
YOU SEE, I BELIEVE THAT EVERY
YOUNG PERSON NEEDS A MATURE,
CARING ADULT IN HIS AND HER LIFE
WHO WILL CHALLENGE HIM OR HER
WITH WISDOM REGARDING CHRIS CAL
ISSUES AND DECISIONS IN THEIR
LIVES.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
I SHOW UP, I STAND UP, AND
SOMETIMES I SHOW OUT.
WHETHER AS A PERFORMING ARTIST
TEACHING FROM THE STAGE OR AS A
TEACHER IN THE STUDIO AND
REHEARSAL SPACE, I INTENTIONALLY
DELIVER AN INSPIRING
PERFORMANCE.
WE MUST REMEDY INJUSTICE.
AS HAS BEEN STATED BEFORE,
INJUSTICE ANYWHERE THREATENS
FREEDOM AND JUSTICE EVERYWHERE,
BECAUSE INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION
ARE DAMAGING TO BOTH
OPPRESSED AS WELL AS THE
OPPRESSORS.
AND WE, WISCONSIN, WE MUST
RESCUE BOTH.
OUR STAND FOR JUSTICE MIGHT BE A
STRUCTURAL RESPONSE.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY FORWARD.
WE MUST HOLD OURSELVES AND
OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE.
SO I ISSUE A CALL TODAY THAT
RESTRUCTURING THE ARCHITECTURE
THAT MAKES FOR AN UNEVEN PLAYING
FIELD IS NECESSARY.
WE MUST HONESTLY ASK OURSELVES
WHAT IS IT ABOUT OUR
INSTITUTIONS THAT PROTECT
INJUSTICE?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT INJUSTICE THAT
IS SO APPEALING AND SO
SEDUCTIVE?
WE MUST HAVE A MISSION, AND THE
MISSION IS TO STAND FOR JUSTICE.
LET US AFFIRM THE
FUNDAMFUNDAMENTALDIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE A
MADE IN THE IMAGE OF LIFE AND
OPPOSE PRACTICES THAT DENY THIS.
A STAND FOR JUSTICE REPLACES
FEELINGS OF SUPERIOR TOWARDS THE
DISENFRANCHISED WITH MERCY
COMPASSION FOR THE
DISENFRANCHISED.
THESE ARE OUR BROTHERS.
THESE ARE OUR SISTERS.
AND WE ARE THEIR KEEPERS.
THE ONE IN FRONT OF US WHO IS
EXPERIENCING INJUSTICE NEEDS AN
ADVOCATE.
SHE IS OUR NEIGHBOR.
HE IS THE ONE WHO HAS THE
IT'S THE POOR.
IT'S THE ORPHAN.
IT'S THE WIDOW.
IT'S THE IMMIGRANT AMONG US.
THESE ARE OUR BROTHERS.
THESE ARE OUR SISTERS.
AND WE ARE THEIR KEEPERS.
IN HIS OPEN LETTER, LETTER FROM
A BIRMINGHAM JAIL, REVEREND
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NOTED I
AM COGNIZANT OF THE INTERRELATED
OF ALL STATES.
INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT
TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.
WE ARE CAUGHT IN A NETWORKING
WITH OF MUTUALITY, TIED IN A
GARMENT OF DESTINY.
WHATEVER AFFECTS ONE DIRECTLY
AFFECTS ALL INDIRECTLY.
THIS RECOGNITION OF A NETWORK OF
MUTUALITY IS INTEGRAL TO JUSTICE
OUTCOMES.
SEE, JUSTICE IS THE CORNERSTONE
VALUE IN THE ARCHITECTURE OF A
PREEMINENT SOCIETY.
IT RECOGNIZES THE STRENGTH AND
THE BENEFIT OF INTERDEPENDENT
HARMONY THAT IS DERIVED BY
WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A
DESIRED GOAL.
TO RALLY HIS SECRETARIES AROUND
THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN,
DR. KING FASTED AND HE PRAYED.
AND HE CHALLENGED THEM WITH
THESE WORDS.
HE SAID, WE HAVE TO DO IT, FOR
OUR OWN SENSE OF DIGNITY, OUR
OWN SELF SELF-RESPECT, FOR OUR OWN
DETERMINATION.
BUT WE CAN'T DO IT IF WE DON'T
GIVE OUR ALL TO IT.
SO IT IS WITH US AS WE TAKE A
STAND FOR JUSTICE.
WE DON'T WANT TO BE LESS THAN
WE'RE CALLED TO BE.
THAT WOULD BE DEFEAT.
NOR DO WE WANT TO BE MORE THAN
WE'RE CALLED TO BE.
THAT WOULD BE CONCEIT.
WE WANT TO BE ALL THAT WE ARE
CALLED TO BE AND THAT IS TO BE
COMPLETE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
WHEN I WAS IN THE 7TH GRADE, MY
MOTHER ENROLLED ME IN A TYPING
CLASS.
THERE WAS A SENTENCE THAT WE
PRACTICED EVERY DAY.
PERHAPS YOU HAD THIS SAME
PRACTICE SENTENCE." N.W IS
"NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD
MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR
COUNTRY."
DOES IT SOUND FAMILIAR TO
ANYBODY?
I KNOW I'M DATING MYSELF.
BUT I PRACTICED THAT SENTENCE
DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
KING REMINDS US THAT HUMAN
PROGRESS NEVER ROLLS IN ON
WHEELS OF INEVITABILITY.
IT COMES THROUGH THE TIRELESS
EFFORT OF MEN WILLING TO BE
CO-WORKERS WITH GOD, AND WITHOUT
THIS HARD WORK, TIME ITSELF
BECOMES AN ALLY OF THE FORCES OF
SOCIAL STAGNATION.
YOU SEE, THE CONDITIONS
SURROUNDING US INTRODUCE US TO
OURSELVES.
AND THE PERSISTENCE WITH WHICH
WE ENGAGE THE RESISTANCE AND
DIFFICULTY WE EXPERIENCE WHEN
STRIVING TO ADDRESS THOSE
CONDITIONS FORM WHO WE BECOME.
LET ME EXPLAIN THAT.
CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING
DR. KING INTRODUCED HIM TO
HIMSELF.
HE HAD H TO BECOME, HE HAD TO
BECOME THE REVEREND DRDR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, HE
HAD TO BECOME THE DRUM MAJOR FOR
JUSTICE THROUGH REDEMPTIVE
SUFFERING.
HIS LEGACY IS SECURED BY WHAT HE
SUFFERED AND HOW HE SERVED.
HE HAD H TO GROW AND DEVELOP INTO
THE MAN WHO LOOKED LIKE
SOMETHING IMPORTANT WAS ABOUT TO
HAPPEN WHEN HE ENTERED A ROOM.
AND WHO SPOKE LOUDLY BY JUST
LISTENING AND BEING PRESENT.
HE HAD TO BE INTRODUCED TO
HIMSELF.
AS HE HEEDED THE CALL ON HIS
LIFE, HE TAUGHT US IN THE
PROCESS.
HE TAUGHT US THAT THERE ARE
WOUNDS TO BE HAD.
HE TAUGHT US THERE IS SOMETHING
WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
LET ME ASK YOU NOW, HAVE YOU
BEEN INTRODUCED TO YOURSELF?
HAVE YOU COME TO REALIZE THE
ROLE YOU ARE TO PLAY IN SERVING
YOUR GENERATION?
WHEN YOU MEET YOURSELF, WHEN YOU
SEE YOUR PRIVILEGE IN LIGHT OF
YOUR NEIGHBOR'S PLIGHT, THIS
INTRODUCTION WILL MOVE YOU TO
ACTION.
YOU'VE HEARD IT SAID THAT SO AND
SO IS WALKING THE TALK AND THAT
WE MUST WALK THE TALK?
CAN I GET A WITNESS?
>> AMEN.
>> ALL RIGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, JUST ALLOW ME TO EDIT
THAT JUST A LITTLE.
BEFORE WE WALK THE TALK, WE MUST
FIRST TALK THE TALK.
PROVERBS 31, VERSES 8 AND 9
GIVES US A PRACTICAL COLLECTIVE.
IT SAYS, OPEN YOUR MOUTH FOR THE
MUTE, FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL WHO
ARE DESTITUTE.
OPEN YOUR MOUTH, JUDGE
RIGHTEOUSLY, DEFEND THE RIGHTS
OF THE POOR AND NEEDY.
IN ORDER TO TALK THE TALK, WE
HAVE TO OPEN OUR MOUTHS.
WE HAVE TO JUDGE RIGHTEOUSLY.
AND WE HAVE TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS
OF THE POOR AND NEEDY AMONG US.
NOW, I HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF
SOMEONE WHO DID JUSTICE.
MY BOYFRIEND.
MY HUSBAND.
THE REVEREND DR. HAROLD DAVIS.
SEE, AFTER SEEING THE SUSPENSION
STATISTICS IN OUR LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICT, HE ENGAGED.
BY MENTORING AND THEN WRITING A
CURRICULUM FOR OTHERS TO DO THE
SAME, HE TOOK A STAND FOR
JUSTICE.
HE DID NOT PASSIVELY SIT BACK
AND TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
HE WALKED THE TALK.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AMEN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
AND HE PUT FORTH A SOLUTION TO
ADDRESS THE SITUATION.
AND THEN HE ENLISTED ME TO WRITE
THE FEMALE CURRICULUM.
OUR TALKS MENTORING PROGRAM HAS
IMPACTED THE LIVES OF MANY AS WE
HAVE ENDEAVORED TO TRANSFER A
LITTLE KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMATICALLY.
HONORING DR. KING'S LEGACY AND
LIFE MUST BE MORE THAN A
CALENDAR DATE.
THE CALL HE ISSUED IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE 20TH CENTURY IS JUST AS
RESOUNDING TO US IN THIS 21ST
CENTURY.
WE MUST NOT WATER DOWN HIS
MESSAGE.
IT IS A CALL FOR JUSTICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> IT IS ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL,
FOR YOU KNOW HE WAS A MINISTER
OF THE GOSPEL WHO LOVED THE
CHURCH, WHO WAS NURTURED BY THE
CHURCH, WHO WAS SUSTAINED BY THE
CHURCH AND WHO REMAINED TRUE TO
THE CHURCH.
SO LET US PICK UP THE MANTLE AND
ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
WITH COURAGE AS WE TAKE OUR
STAND FOR JUSTICE.
MY SON-IN-LAW, THE REVEREND
DR. CHARLIE DATES, ADMONISHED US
AT THE FRONT OF THIS YEAR BY
SAYING DON'T JUDGE PROGRESS
BY WHAT YOU THINK YOU OUGHT TO
BE OR HOW SUCCESSFUL YOU THINK
YOU SHOULD BE.
VIEW YOUR PROGRESS BY THE MERCY
AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.
AND LET ME ADD, LET THIS VANTAGE
POINT SUSTAIN YOUR FAITHFULNESS
TO YOUR CALLING.
FOR 40 YEARS, DR. OVERBY AND
YOUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY AND THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN HAVE
SUSTAINED A CEREMONY OF TRIBUTE
AND CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND
LEGACY OF THE PREACHER, THE
REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR.
I COMMEND YOU FOR THIS
COMMITMENT.
YOU MUST BE CAREFUL.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> YOU MUST BE CAREFUL TO
CELEBRATE WHAT GOD HAS
MERCIFULLY ALLOWED YOU TO DO.
YOU MAY FEEL AS IF PUTTING ON
THE STATEWIDE CEREMONY AFTER 40
YEARS SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE
SUPPORT, MORE ENTHUSIASM AND
MORE RESOURCES.
BUT LET ME HASTEN TO SAY THAT
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD HAS
ALLOWED YOUR PLANNING, YOUR
PREPARATION AND THIS
PRESENTATION TO BE EXACTLY AS IT
OUGHT TO BE.
THE MORAL ARC OF THE UNIVERSE IS
LONG, BUT IT BENDS TOWARDS
JUSTICE, CORD ACCORDING TO OUR
HONOREE TODAY.
SO LET'S KEEP MOVING.
THOSE STANDING FOR JUSTICE STAND
WITH MORE POWER THAN ANY
OPPOSITION BECAUSE THEY KNOW
THAT EVIL CANNOT CONCEIVE A
PERFECT PLAN.
A TRIBUTE WAS GIVEN TO DR. KING
AT HIS GRAVESITE.
IT WAS SAID THE CEMETERY IS TOO
SMALL FOR HIS SPIRIT.
THE GRAVE IS TOO NARROW FOR HIS
SOUL.
WE COMMEND HIS LEGACY OF COURAGE
AND LOVE TO OURSELVES, OUR
CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN'S
CHILDREN.
WE COMMEND HIS LIFE TO THE
UNIVERSE.
IT HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO
STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AND SPEAK
WELL OF HIM, TO ASSURE ALL WHO
ARE PRESENT THAT HIS LIVING WAS
NOT IN VAIN, TO URGE OUR
COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP HIS WORK
AND TO SHARE THE PRINCIPLES THAT
GUIDED HIS LIFE AND MINE.
THANK YOU.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
*
>> DR. OLLIE WATTS DAVIS!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> ALL RIGHT.
YOU MAY BE SEATED.
FOR MORE THAN 36 YEARS, THE
RENDERS WILLIE BRISCO HAS
DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO FIGHT
BEING INJUSTICE IN MILWAUKEE,
TAKING ON IN EE QUALITIES IN
TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT AND
HOUSING.
WHEN WESTLAWN, THE FEDERAL
PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, WAS
INITIALLY BEING REBUILT, HE
WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE
INJUSTICES IN CONSTRUCTION
EMPLOYMENT EXPOSED THROUGH A
$300 MILLION PROJECT.
HE HELPED TO IDENTIFY HOW
AUTHORITIES HAD FAILED TO MEET
FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR HIRING
LOW-INCOME WORKERS.
HE WORKED FOR 25 YEARS AT THE
MILWAUKEE COUNTY HOUSE OF
CORRECTION.
TODAY, HE IS WORKING WITH
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
AND OTHERS TO REFORM THE
CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IN
WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
THAT THE REVEREND WILLIE BRISCO
IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE
WISCONSIN 2020 MLK HERITAGE
AWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO
THANK GOD FOR BEING ALIVE FOR
THIS DAY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I WANT TO THANK GOVERNOR
EVERS, DR. OVERBY AND THE
NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR
SELECTING ME FOR THIS AWARD.
I AM TRULY HOW HUMBLED.
I AM TRULY GRATEFUL.
I ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF
WISDOM AND THE 11 STATE
AFFILIATES THAT WE REPRESENT.
I ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF
THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS 17
AFFILIATES THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY.
I TRULY WORK ALONGSIDE SOME
DYNAMIC AND DIVERSE PEOPLE.
THEY ALLOW ME TO DO THIS WORK,
AND THEY ALLOW ME TO WORK
ALONGSIDE THEM.
SO I THANK GOD FOR THAT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I ALSO ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON
BEHALF OF MY ANCESTORS AND ON
BEHALF OF MY FAMILY, BECAUSE
THEY HAVE BOTH DIED, SURVIVED
AND LIVED I SOCIETY THAT
DIDN'T ALWAYS APPRECIATE THEM.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
WE KEPT ON KEEPING ON AND WE ARE
ALIVE TODAY AND THAT'S WHY I
TAKE THIS HONOR AND IN THEIR
PLACE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I THANK DR. KING BECAUSE I'M
RECEIVING THIS AWARD BECAUSE HE
SAID THAT I COULD BE GREAT
BECAUSE I COULD SERVE.
AND THAT'S WHY I SERVE.
AND ON BEHALF OF NEW COVENANT
BAPTIST CHURCH, I SAY THIS.
MY SOUL IS TRULY HAPPY.
MY SOUL IS GRATEFUL.
THANK ALL OF YOU, MY BROTHERS
AND SISTERS WHO WITNESSED THIS
TODAY, AND THANK ALL OF YOU WHO
PRAYED FOR THIS DAY.
AND THANK GOD FOR DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
AMEN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> FRIENDS, THAT CONCLUDES
WISCONSIN'S 40TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE
AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
AND THOSE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS
PROGRAM POSSIBLE, UNTIL NEXT
TIME, I'M JONATHAN OVERBY.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING,
LISTENING AND WATCHING, AND MAY
YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH PEACE
AND HARMONY.
HAVE A GOOD DAY!
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]