>> 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 DR. JONATHAN OVERBY.
WELCOME TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN'S 43rd ANNUAL
TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
COMING UP, YOU'LL SEE HIGHLIGHT'S FROM TODAY'S EVENT
RECORDED HERE IN THE STATE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER IS REVEREND MARCUS ALLEN, MT. ZION BAPTIST
CHURCH. WE'LL HAVE MUSIC TO CELEBRATE
KING'S LIFE AND WORDS TO REFLECT ON HIS LEGACY.
I HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THESE HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S TRIBUTE
AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
>> WELCOME. GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> ALL RIGHT!
MY NAME IS VANESSA MCDOWELL, CEO OF WYCA-MADISON, EXCITED TO BE
HERE TODAY WITH ALL OF YOU. AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE
HONOR OF INTRODUCING A GOVERNOR WHO SEES US ALL.
SO HELP ME WELCOME GOVERNOR, WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY, AND THANK YOU, VANESSA, FOR THAT
KIND INTRODUCTION.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TODAY TO THE WISCONSIN STATE
CAPITOL FOR THE 43rd ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING
DR. MARTIN LU MARTIN LUTHER KIN. TODAY WE REMEMBER HIS TIRELESS
FIGHT FOR ALL PEOPLE AND REFLECT ON HOW HIS LEGACY STILL LIVES ON
ACROSS WISCONSIN, ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD.
IN CELEBRATING DR. KING, WE RECOMMIT OURSELVES EVERY DAY TO
THESE IMPORTANT GOALS: TO FINDING THE THINGS THAT UNITE US
RATHER THAN DIVIDE US AND TO THE VALUES WE HOLD DEAR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS IMPORTANT WORK TOGETHER IN
2024 AND BEYOND AS WE LOOK TO ONE DAY ACHIEVE THAT FUTURE THAT
DR. KING ENVISIONED FOR US. SO THANK YOU.
AND NOW WITH THAT, IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO PRESENT
THIS PROCLAMATION. AND I WILL FIND IT.
RIGHT HERE. PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO
DR. OVERBY RECOGNIZING TODAY AS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FOR HIS PROFOUND LEGACY AND
LASTING IMPACT THAT STILL LIVES ON IN OUR STATE TODAY.
JONATHAN?
[APPLAUSE]
>> HEY, HOW ABOUT THIS, HUH? HELLO, EVERYONE.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> DR. KING SAID THAT JUSTICE IS BEST SERVED IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE,
CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT STANDS AGAINST LOVE, AND WE HAVE
MUCH TO CORRECT. THESE POINTED WORDS AUTHORED BY
DR. KING, THEY SHOULD INSPIRE US ALL TO ACTION TODAY, TO REDUCE
OUR NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF EACH OTHER AND TO REACH OUT
FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING ACROSS THE AISLE, TO REDUCE FEAR, WHICH IS
GRIPPING OUR NATION, INDIFFERENCE AND THIS
DEEP-SEATED HATRED FOR PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY LOOK
DIFFERENT. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
SO I SAY TO YOU TODAY, LET US CELEBRATE EACH OTHER IN THE
SPIRIT OF DR. KING AS WE, THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN, GATHER TO
CELEBRATE NOT ONLY HIM, BUT THOSE THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM
THE SHACKLES OF HATRED, MARGINALIZATION, PEOPLE WHO ARE
IMMIGRANTS WHO WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE THEY SEE A BETTER
OPPORTUNITY, WOMEN WHO ARE STILL TRYING TO CRACK THE GLASS
CEILING. WE MUST SHED THIS FEAR OF
RESENTMENT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LOVE SOMEBODY JUST BECAUSE THEY
WANT TO LOVE THEM. SO I SAY TO YOU ALL TODAY HERE
IN WISCONSIN, AS DR. KING SAID, LET US DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A
SPIRIT OF LOVE. AMEN?
AMEN. ALL RIGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, DO YOU KNOW YOU THE HOME AND BIRTHPLACE OF TRADITIONAL
GOSPEL MUSIC?
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS? I DO.
AND I'M DELIGHTED THAT WE ARE NOT ONLY GOING TO GET A TASTE OF
IT, BUT SOME REAL SOUL FOOD TODAY FROM THE CHICAGO MASS
CHOIR. PLEASE GIVE THEM A BIG HAND,
WITH DR. WILLIAMSON LEADING THIS ORGANIZATION FOR SO MANY YEARS.
GIVE IT UP FOR THEM! CHICAGO MASS CHOIR.
? WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS ? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ? GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD
? IF I ABIDE IN HIS HOLY WORD ? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS ? WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ? WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD KEEP ME ?
? IF I ABIDE IN HIS HOLY WORD ? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ? HE MAKES A WAY EACH AND EVERY
DAY ? ? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? JESUS, MY HEART FIXER ? WHEN I AM SAD HE MAKES ME
GLAD ? ? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ? JESUS, MY WAYMAKER
? JESUS, MY STRONG TOWER
? JESUS, MY HEART FIXER
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK
[APPLAUSE] PRESENTATION OF THE 2024 MLK
HERITAGE AWARD. LISA JONES IS THE RECIPIENT THIS
YEAR, AND SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE LEAD ORGANIZER
OF MILWAUKEE INNER CITY CONGREGATIONS ALLIED FOR HOPE,
OR MICAH. IT'S A MULTIRACIAL, INTERFAITH
ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING JUSTICE ISSUES IN THE
COMMUNITY OF MILWAUKEE. THAT'S MY HOMETOWN, SO THERE'S
SOME WORK TO BE DONE, I KNOW FOR SURE.
I THANK HER FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR GOOD WORK AND FOR HER
MISSION TO SECURE ALTERNATIVES TO JUST SENDING FOLKS TO JAIL
WHEN THERE COULD BE SOME OTHER PATHWAY TO THEIR RECOV RECOVERYD
THEIR REHABILITATION, IF YOU WILL.
[APPLAUSE] >> SO IT'S MY PLEASURE, COME ON,
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I AM
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT LISA JONES IS RECIPIENT OF THE
WISCONSIN 2024 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOVERNOR
EVERS AND THE SELECTION
COMMITTEE AND THOSE WHO NOMINATED ME.
I WAS LIKE WHERE DID YOU GET THAT DESCRIPTION OF ME AND ALL
THE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE? BUT SOMEHOW SOMEONE KNEW ME, AND
I REALLY PRESS APPRECIATE THAT. THIS REMINDS ME OF THE LESSONS
THAT MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME. MY MOTHER'S NO LONGER HERE WITH
US, BUT I REMEMBER SITTING WITH MY MOM AND DAD WATCHING TONY
BROWN'S JOURNAL. HOW MANY PEOPLE REMEMBER TONY
BROWN'S JOURNAL? [APPLAUSE]
ALL THE THINGS. SO IT REALLY FORMED ME IN WHO I
AM. AND SO I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE
WORK THAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO IN THIS FAITH WORK,
REPRESENTING THE FAITH COMMUNITY, LOVING COMMUNITY FOR
AN OPPRESSION-FREE WORLD. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT!
[APPLAUSE] CALLING ALL OF US AND I KNOW
THAT THIS IS MICAH'S 35TH YEAR. IN 1988 CLERGY CAME TOGETHER TO
CREATE MICAH AND SO FOR 35 YEARS MICAH HAS BEEN DOING THIS RACIAL
JUSTICE WORK IN MILWAUKEE AND IN THE STATE AND UNITED STATES.
AND WE'RE AN AFFILIATE OF WISDOM.
AND THAT THEME TODAY, "ONE DAY, ONE DAY."
I BELIEVE IN THAT ONE DAY BECAUSE DR. KING BELIEVED IN
THAT ONE DAY. HE BELIEVED IN AN
OPPRESSION-FREE WORLD WHERE WE ARE ALL HEALTHY, WE ARE ALL
FIERCELY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.
SO MAYBE THERE WILL BE ONE DAY WHEN WE DON'T NEED FOOD PANTRIES
BECAUSE EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THE FOOD THAT THEY NEED.
EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A JOB. [APPLAUSE]
ALTERNATIVES TO ALL THESE STUMTIONSYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST LEAVE YOU WITH A COUPLE OF QUOTES.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST QUOTES I REMEMBER, WHY I DO THIS
WORK. INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT
TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE. SO WHEN YOUR SIBLING IS HURTING,
THAT MEANS YOU HURTING, TOO. AND THEN THIS IS ONE OF MY BEST
QUOTES I LOVE FROM HIM. AND HE SAID THIS: IF YOU LOSE
HOPE SOMEHOW, YOU LOSE THE VITALITY THAT KEEPS MOVING.
YOU LOSE THAT COURAGE TO BE, THAT QUALITY THAT HELPS YOU GO
OUT IN SPITE OF IT ALL. AND SO TODAY I STILL HAVE A
DREAM. LET US ALL REMEMBER TO KEEP
ANSWERING DR. KING'S CALL THAT ONE DAY, ONE DAY WE CAN GET TO A
PERMANENT, BELOVED COMMUNITY WITHOUT OPPRESSION.
ONE DAY. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> HERE'S THE NATIONAL,
AWARD-WINNING LATINO ARTS STRING
PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED AT THE UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER IN
MILWAUKEE, CREATED AND DIRECTED TODAY BY DINORAH MARQUEZ AND
DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A PRE-COLLEGE MUSIC TRAINING
PROGRAM FOR LATINO STUDENTS. AND IT PROVIDES THEM WITH
INSTRUMENTS, MUSIC MATERIALS, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS, SMALL GROUP
AND LARGER ORCHESTRAS. AND THIS MARIACHI ENSEMBLE IS
ONE OF THE FINEST TO COME OUT OF OUR COUNTRY.
MAESTRA MARQUEZ NOW LEADS ONCE AGAIN THE MARIACHI JUVENIL
GRANDES LEGOS.
[APPLAUSE]
? [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
? [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IT IS TIME NOW FOR THE PRESENTATION OF OUR NEXT MLK TER
THERITAGE AWARD. SINCE 2012 DANIEL DANIELS HAS
LED GROWTH, ACCESSIBILITY TO MADISON COLLEGE.
HIS TENURE INCLUDES COMPLETING THE BUILD OUT OF MADISON
COLLEGE'S CAMPUSES, INSTRUCTING THE GOOD MAN SOUTH CAMPUS,
CREATING PARTNERSHIPS, ESTABLISHING A CORPORATE
TRAINING CENTER AND CREATING MADISON COLLEGE'S STEM CENTER.
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I AM
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT DR. JACK E. DANIELS III,
PRESIDENT OF MADISON COLLEGE, IS A RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN
2024 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF DR. JACK E. DANIELS III.
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THE 2024 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
HERITAGE AWARD. I'M SO SORRY I'M NOT ABLE TO BE
WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON. I'M DEEPLY HONORED AND
APPRECIATIVE OF THIS RECOGNIZE NRECOGNITION.
I'M THANKFUL TO THIS COMMUNITY FOR ITS SUPPORT PROVIDING
CRITICAL INPUT AND FRIENDSHIP. BUT WHAT IS KEY IS OUR
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO MAKE CHANGE.
COLLABORATION IS BEST TO MAKE CRITICAL CHANGE AND KEEPING US
ACCOUNTABLE IS KEY TO ENSURING THAT THE CHANGE EVIDENCES ITSELF
AND IS SUSTAINABLE. MY FOCUS SINCE I ARRIVED OVER
TEN YEARS AGO IS TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY NEED AND INSTITUTE
KEY INTERVENTIONS TO MEET THE NEED.
THOUGH MANY SEE GOODMAN SOUTH CAMPUS AS AN EXPRESSION OF
MEETING THAT NEED, AND DESERVEDLY SO, IT COMES THROUGH
LOUD AND CLEAR THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS THAT WE DO LISTEN
TO THE COMMUNITY AND RESPOND IN A WAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT
THEIR NEEDS. THIS HAS BEEN THE GREATEST
ACCOMPLISHMENT: LISTENING AND RESPECTING THE NEEDS OF EVERY
COMMUNITY WE TOUCH IN OUR 12-COUNTY AREA.
AND IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND A
COLLEGE THAT IS FOCUSED ON SERVING COMMUNITIES AND THE
NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS. IT WOULD ALSO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT
THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD, THE LEADERSHIP OF MY STAND-IN TODAY,
FRANCIS HUNTLEY-COOPER, WHO HAS PROVIDED BOARD LEADERSHIP.
I ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO
COMMIT THEMSELVES TO MAKING CRITICAL CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY
TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE WITH THE DEFINED
INTENTION TO ENGAGE EACH AND CONTINUE TO MAKE INTERVENTIONS
THAT MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AND THE STATE BETTER IN ADDRESSING ITS
NEEDS. DR. DANIELS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHO THAT
WAS.
I SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCED HER, BUT I ASSUMED EVERYONE KNEW
FRANCIS HUNTLEY-COOPER.
[APPLAUSE] >> JUST A LITTLE HISTORY FOR
YOU, OR SHOULD I SAY HERSTORY? SHE IS THE FIRST
AFRICAN-AMERICN MAYOR WOMAN IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, RIGHT?
[APPLAUSE] >> JUST MAYOR.
JUST SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT IT'S RIGHT. I KNOW I'M GOING TO HEAR ABOUT
THAT LATER. IT IS TIME TO INTRODUCE OUR
GUEST SPEAKER TODAY, THE REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN, SR.,
PASTOR OF MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, MADISON, WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> DR. ALLEN JOINED MT. ZION IN
OCTOBER OF 2016, AFTER SERVING
HONORABLY IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR OVER TEN YEARS.
DURING HIS MILITARY SERVICE, HE COMPLETED THREE, I SAID THREE,
COMBAT TOURS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND RECEIVED THE
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, ONE OF THE HIGHEST MILITARY HONORS AWARDED
IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
GO AHEAD. IT'S ALL RIGHT.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> HE EARNED A DOCTORATE IN MINISTRY FROM LIBERTY SEMINARY
AND A MASTER'S OF DIVINITY FROM
THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY.
HE SERVES IN MANY WAYS: ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
DUBUQUE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY SCHOOL, PRESIDENT OF THE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, AND HE AND HIS WIFE
TERRA, WHO I HAVE PERSONALLY HEARD HIM REFER TO HER NOT ONLY
AS HIS WIFE, BUT HIS GIRLFRIEND. SEE, I'M TELLING THE TRUTH.
JUST, I HEARD IT AND I JUST WANTED TO REPEAT IT PUBLICLY.
THEY HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN: ALEXANDREA, MEKYAH,
MARCUS, JR.. AND THERE'S MUCH MORE TO SAY.
BUT HE ASKED ME, HE SAID, DR. O, WHY?
WHY ME? AND I JUST SAID "IT'S YOUR
TIME." AND I NOW ASK YOU TO WELCOME THE
REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN, SR.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF.
THE WORLD AND ALL THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN.
FOR HE HAS FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS AND ESTABLISHED IT UPON THE
WATERS. LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YOU GATES.
LIFT UP YOU EVERLASTING DOORS. AND THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME
IN. WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?
THE LORD OF HOSTS. HE IS THE KING OF GLORY.
TRULY I COUNT IT A PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOR AND A JOY TO BE BEFORE
YOU TODAY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
GOVERNOR EVERS AND FIRST LADY EVERS AND TO ALL THE GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS HERE TODAY. SHE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL HOST
FOR US. [APPLAUSE]
FOR WHERE OUR CHURCH IS LOCATED. TO ALL THE DIG THAT TARERIES ON
THE -- DIGNITARIES, THANK YOU. AROUND 2014 MY WIFE AND I WERE
DEBATING WHERE SHOULD WE MOVE BECAUSE WE HAD SMALL CHILDREN
AND OUR CHILDREN NEEDED A GRANDMOTHER TO HELP US RAISE
THEM KIDS. AND WHILE ATTENDING A
CONFERENCE, I WAS INFORMED IN VIRGINIA THAT MT. ZION BAPTIST
CHURCH WAS LOOKING FOR A PASTOR. I APPLIED AND SOMEHOW I BECAME
THE PASTOR OF THIS GREAT CHURCH. WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS INFORMED
THAT MT. ZION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY FOR
AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE. THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN AROUND IN
MAY IT WILL BE 113 YEARS. THE CHURCH'S VOICE HAS BEEN
AMPLIFIED WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMANDING
SOCIAL EQUALITY FOR ALL. AS A MATTER OF FACT, DR. KING'S
FATHER VISITED MT. ZION, AND WHEN BISHOP DESMOND TUTU CAME TO
TOWN, MT. ZION WAS ONE OF HIS STOPS.
IN 1916 THE CHURCH WAS ASKED TO MOVE FROM JOHNSON STREET TO
FISHER STREET, WHERE IT NOW RESIDES, AND IT IS SAID THAT
PASTOR DAWSON, WHO WAS THE PASTOR AT THAT TIME, TOLD THE
MAYOR THAT HE DESIRED FOR THE CHURCH TO BE IN THE HEART OF THE
COMMUNITY. LOCATED, YOU WILL AGREE, BECAUSE
WE ARE NOT OFF A MAIN ROAD. WE ARE TUCKED IN BY PENN PARK.
BUT OUR LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY RADIATES AND ILLUMINATES OURúARD
SUPPORT TO ANYONE WHO IS IN NEED.
FOR OVER 30 YEARS WE'VE HAD A FOOD PANTRY FEEDING FAMILIES.
FOR OVER 20 YEARS WE'VE HAD A LEARNING CENTER WHERE WE PROVIDE
KIDS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 10TH GRADE WITH EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE WHAT DR. BILLINGS CALLED THE
OPPORTUNITY GAP WITH BLACK STUDENTS.
MT. ZION IS A CHURCH OF ACTION, LOVE AND JUSTICE.
AND DUE TO OUR PROGRAMS ONLY BEING SUPPORTED AND FUNDED BY
THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS, WE DECIDED TO START A CHARITABLE
ORGANIZATION, A SEPARATE 503C THAT WE PERFORMED THAT WE MIGHT
HAVE A GREATER IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN 2020 WE PAID OFF THE MORTGAGE OF OUR CHURCH.
AMEN! [APPLAUSE]
DEBT-FREE AND BLACK FOLKS FULLY OWN ONE OF THE LARGEST BUILDINGS
ON THE BLOCK.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> AND CURRENTLY WE ARE STARTING
A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A FAMILY LIFE CENTER ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF MADISON TO BE ABLE TO HOUSE OUR PROGRAMS AND BETTER
SERVE THE MADISON COMMUNITY. AGAIN, I AM EXCITED TO BE THE
SPEAKER OF THIS EVENT TODAY. AND AS I RECEIVED THE THEME FOR
THIS EVENT, I WAS TORN AS WHICH WAY TO TALK ABOUT IT.
I BELIEVE THAT THE THEME OF "ONE DAY" IS A POWERFUL STATEMENT.
BUT IT DEPENDS ON HOW IT IS PRESENTED.
"ONE DAY" CAN BE WHAT I CALL FAITH TALK, WHERE YOU ARE
EXPECTING SOMETHING GREAT TO HAPPEN ONE DAY.
AND YOUR ACTIONS TODAY ARE PUSHING YOU TOWARDS THAT ONE
DAY. OR "ONE DAY" CAN BE DECEPTIVE
TALK WHICH CAUSES YOU TO SETTLE FOR WHAT YOU RECEIVE TODAY
BECAUSE YOU SUGGEST I WILL GET IT ONE DAY.
"ONE DAY" CAN BE USED AS A VISION CASTER FOR SOMETHING
GREATER, BETTER OR MORE BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR LIFE, OR
"ONE DAY" CAN LEAD TO APATHY WHERE YOU BECOME SATISFIED WITH
THE RESULTS OF TODAY AND FAIL TO PREPARE FOR THAT ONE DAY.
I BELIEVE FOR SOME "ONE DAY" HAS PARALYZED OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE
JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND FREEDOM. WE HAVE SETTLED FOR THE CRUMBS
OF TODAY, EXPECTING THINGS TO GET BETTER ONE DAY.
WE HAVE DECIDED THAT THE WORK OF A BETTER DAY IS TOO HARD FOR
TODAY, SO WE PUT IT OFF AS A DISTANT HOPE AND DECLARE WE'LL
GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY. THIS TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING OF
ONE DAY HAS CRIPPLED MANY COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE LEANED AND
DEPENDED ON THE PROMISES OF LEADERS WHO TOLD THEM THAT ONE
DAY, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF ONE DAY CONTINUES TO DRIFT FARTHER AND
FARTHER AWAY. PROMISES OF EQUALITY IN
EDUCATION, BUT YET STILL BLACK CHILDREN AREN'T LEARNING AT THE
SAME RATE OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS, BUT FOR THE LONGEST NO ONE WAS
ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY. A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS A GUEST
SPEAKER AT ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND I ASKED THE STUDENTS
WHAT DID THEY THINK WAS THE REASON FOR THE 2019 FOREIGN EXAM
RESULTS, WHERE ONLY 9% OF BLACK CHILDREN WERE PROFICIENT IN
MATH? ONE CHILD RAISED HER HAND AND
SHE SUGGESTED IT'S BECAUSE WHEN LITTLE JOHNNY NEEDS HELP, THE
TEACHER TAKES TIME TO GIVE HIM THE HELP HE NEEDS.
BUT WHEN POKEY IS IN NEED, HE DOES NOT GET THE SAME SUPPORT.
AND THEN HE ACTS UP AND THEN HE'S KICKED OUT OF CLASS.
BUT IN EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE FOR MANY, WE DECLARE WE'LL GET IT
RIGHT ONE DAY. THE PROMISES OF HEALTH CARE
IMPROVEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED AS ONE DAY.
A FEW YEARS AGO AS I WAS IN A CLASS AT MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
RECEIVING A CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL
CONTEXT AND THE INSTRUCTORS INVITED THE PRESIDENT OF THE
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN MILWAUKEE, SHE STATED THAT IN
MILWAUKEE IF YOU MOVE TEN BLOCKS, YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY
GAINS EIGHT TO TEN YEARS. IN APRIL, 2020 MY MOTHER WAS
SEVERELY SICK. THIS WAS AT THE ONSET OF
COVID-19, WHEN NO ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS GOING ON.
NO TESTING WAS AVAILABLE AND HOSPITALS WERE TRYING THEIR BEST
TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM OVERCROWDED WAITING ROOMS.
MY MOTHER CALLED 911 BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T BREATHE, HAD A
TEMPERATURE OF 103 AND HAD A BAD COUGH.
BUT AFTER BEING EXAMINED BY THE PARAMEDICS THEY LEFT HER IN HER
ROOM AND REFUSED TO TRANSPORT HER TO THE HOSPITAL.
IT'S A SHAME THAT I HAD TO CALL ON EVERYONE I KNEW IN POWER JUST
TO GET MY MOTHER SOME MEDICAL AID.
IT MADE ME EVEN MORE UPSET BECAUSE AS I WAS ON A ZOOM CALL
WITH A CLERGY PERSON FROM OCONOMOWOC, SHE INFORMED ME SHE
HAD A MILD COUGH. SHE GAVE HER A TEST IMMEDIATELY.
AND MY BROTHER COULDN'T BREATHE BUT SHE COULDN'T GET ANY KIND OF
MEDICAL SUPPORT. I WONDERED WAS IT BECAUSE OF HER
ZIP CODE. BUT MANY WOULD JUST SAY WE'LL
GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY. IT PAINS ME TO KNOW THAT SOME
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS WHO STOOD ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR
THE SAKE OF THE FREEDOMS OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE FLAG CAME BACK
HOME NOT TO PARADES AND CELEBRATIONS, BUT TO RACISM AND
HATE. THEY HAD EARNED BENEFITS FOR
HOUSING BUT WERE UNABLE TO BUY HOMES WHERE THEY WANTED TO, AND
UNFAIR HOUSING PRACTICES HAS CRIPPLED THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY FROM GAINING GENERATIONAL WEALTH IN THIS
COUNTRY. AND TO THIS DAY, BANKS ARE STILL
USING THESE UNFAIR PRACTICES BY EITHER DENYING BLACK PEOPLE FROM
GETTING LOANS OR CHARGING THEM HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAN WHITE
COUNTER PARTS. YET STILL SOMEONE IS PROCLAIMING
THE THEME OF TODAY, "ONE DAY" WE'LL SET IT RIGHT.
TELL US TO SETTLE FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET IT
RIGHT ONE DAY. IT'S A SHAME THAT SOCIETY HAS
BECOME MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OFFENDING WHITE STUDENTS WHEN
TEACHERS TEACH ABOUT THE CRUELTY AND UNFAIRNESS AND INEQUALITY
BLACK PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED IN THIS NATION.
IT'S PITIFUL THAT I WAS NEVER TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ABOUT
BLAK WALL STREET, WHERE IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, BLACK PEOPLE
WERE SELF-SUSTAINED AND WEALTHY AND THEY WITNESSED THE FIRST
TERRORIST GROUP TO ATTACK AND BOMB AMERICANS IN AMERICA.
AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT PEOPLE ARE ATTACKING DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION, BUT REFUSE TO IMPLEMENT LAWS TO REMOVE GUNS
FROM THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SHOOT INNOCENT
CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND MALLS AND EVEN IN SAFE PLACES.
[APPLAUSE] NO.
NO.
I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT "ONE DAY" AS A MAYBE.
BUT WE SHOULD LOOK AT "ONE DAY" AS A GUARANTEE AND OPERATE
TODAY, HOPING THAT ONE DAY CAN BE TODAY.
AND JUNE 17, 1966 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING GAVE A SPEECH
DECLARING THERE WERE ONLY THREE WORDS HE WANTED TO STATE TO
AMERICA TO PROVE THAT THEY WERE SERIOUS.
THE FIRST WORD WAS "ALL." HE DECLARED WE DON'T WANT SOME
RIGHTS. WE WANT ALL OF THEM.
HIS SECOND WORD WAS "HERE," STATING HE DID NOT WANT TO MOVE
FROM THE SOUTH IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE THESE RIGHTS.
HE WANTED THOSE RIGHTS IN GEORGIA AND ALABAMA AND
MISSISSIPPI. HIS LAST WORD IS WHAT I WANT US
TO FOCUS ON TODAY. HIS LAST WORD WAS "NOW."
HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SETTLE FOR YOU'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY,
BUT HE DECLARED WE WANT THEM NOW.
AND THIS IS MY CHARGE TO ALL WHO ARE LISTENING TODAY, THAT NOW IS
THE TIME FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> NOW, I WOULDN'T BE A BAPTIST
PREACHER IF I DIDN'T LEAVE YOU WITH SOME SCRIPTURE.
IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 9 VERSE 4 JESUS DECLARES I MUST
WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO HAS SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY.
THE NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK.
JESUS IS INFORMING US ALL THATE- WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY AND THE
TIME TO WORK IS USED METAPHORICALLY FOR WHEN THE SUN
IS UP. FOR WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, THIS
LIFE IS OVER AND NO MAN OR WOMAN CAN WORK.
TO GET THE PICTURE OF WHAT JESUS MAY BE SAYING IN THIS VERSE,
PICTURE A HARD-WORKING FARMER IN THE DAYS BEFORE MODERN FARM
MACHINERY. THE FARMER WILL RISE UP EARLY IN
THE MORNING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY, EVERY
MINUTE OF DAYLIGHT, CULTIVATING HIS CROP FOR WHEN THE HARVEST
WOULD COME. HE KNEW THAT NIGHT WOULD COME,
SO HE WORKED ALL DAY LONG. AND WHEN THE NIGHT CAME, HE
RESTED WELL. WELL-DESERVED REST FOR HIS
DILIGENCE IN THE DAYLIGHT. HE KNEW THAT IF HE WAS GOING TO
HAVE A CROP TO HARVEST, HE MUST WORK DILIGENTLY EVERY WAKING
MINUTE BECAUSE TIME WAS SHORT AND HE DID NOT HAVE ALL DAY.
AND JUST AS THE FARMER KNEW HE WAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY
MOMENT OF DAYLIGHT, WE ARE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME THAT
WE HAVE DOWN HERE TO ENSURE ONE DAY BECOMES A REALITY AND NOT A
DREAM THAT DOES NOT COME TO PASS.
WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ONE DAY. WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO TODAY
AND USE THE PHRASE "ONE DAY" AS AN OBTAINABLE VISION.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER MADISON URBAN LEAGUE DISPLAYS
THIS MOTTO OF ONE DAY AS A MISSION, BUILDING THE BLACK
BUSINESS HUB THAT WILL HELP CREATE MORE BLACK BUSINESS
OWNERS IN DANE COUNTY. I KNOW ONE DAY HE HOPES TO
INCREASE MORE BLACK HOMEOWNERS WITH HIS PROGRAM THAT HELPS
BLACK PEOPLE BECOME FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS AND GENERATE
GENERATIONAL WEALTH. DR. GLORIA BILLINGS IS THE
EPITOME OF ONE DAY AS A VISION, WITH HER TIRELESS WORK IN
IMPROVING THE EDUCATION OF BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN.
VANESSA MCDOWELL IS DEVOTED TO MAKING SURE ONE DAY BECOMES A
REALITY FOR WOMEN WHO ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO STAND ON THEIR OWN
TWO FEET. ONE DAY WITH THE START OF ONE
CITY SCHOOLS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE THAT GOD HAS SOMETHING GREATER
FOR YOU WHEN PEOPLE DENY YOU AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR INITIAL
VISION. DR. ALEX G. HAS BLOWN THE
TRUMPET OF ONE DAY, CREATING A CLASS TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT
BLACK HISTORY AND ALLOWING ALL TO KNOW THAT BLACK HISTORY IS
AMERICAN HISTORY. [APPLAUSE]
>> DR. JACK DANIELS REFUSED TO TURN "ONE DAY" TO BE USED FOR
APATHY WHEN HE DECIDED TO BUILD MATC CAMPUS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF
MADISON, STARTING A RENAISSANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SHEILA STUBS WAS THE FIRST BLACK REPRESENTATIVE IN THE STATE IN
MADISON AFTER BEING RACIALLY PROFILED WHILE CAMPAIGNING.
CARLA GAINES WHOSE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH IS UNMATCHED
WITH HER EAGER TONESS TO ONE DAY ENSURE THAT WE ALL RECEIVE FAIR
AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT IN HEALTH CARE.
BARACK OBAMA AND KAMALA HARRIS ALL REJECTED THE CALL OF ONE DAY
AND SETTLING FOR TODAY, BUT USED ONE DAY TO BECOME THE FIRST
BLACK PRESIDENT AND VICE VICE PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA. [APPLAUSE]
>> TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RESILIENT IN THIS NATION,
DESPITE YOUR UNFAIR TREATMENT AND HATE, TO ALL WHO KNOW THEIR
SELF-WORTH AND NOT SEARCHING FOR AFFIRMATION OUTSIDE OF WHO YOU
ARE, THANK YOU FOR USING "ONE DAY" AS A VISION AND NOT A
CRUTCH. AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER,
VISITING THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER WAS AN IDEA I WANTED TO
MAKE HAPPEN. THE GOAL IS TO HELP YOUTH
DEVELOP SOME FORM OF VISION. IF THEY COULD SEE THEMSELVES
BEYOND THEIR CURRENT STATE, MAYBE THEY WOULD TRY TO MAKE
BETTER CHOICES. AND I'M OFTEN LOOKING AT MY OWN
LIFE, GROWING UP IN THE HOOD OF MILWAUKEE ON 12TH AND NORTH
AVENUE, THE 53206 ZIP CODE. MY MOTHER WAS A SINGLE,
UNEDUCATED BLACK WOMAN TRYING TO RAISE FOUR BOYS BY HERSELF.
I NEVER HAD GREAT ASPIRATIONS FROM WHAT I SAW BECAUSE ALL I
SAW WAS MY MOTHER WORKING HARD AT WENDY'S, BUT TO WATCH HER GO
AND GET HER GED AND THEN GET AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BUT NEGLECT
TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE TO GET HER OWN DIPLOMA TO WATCH ME GET
MY DIPLOMA, HER HOPE FOR ONE DAY AS HELPED ME EXPERIENCE ONE DAY
TODAY. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> ONE DAY. ONE DAY.
MY HOPE TODAY IS THAT SOMEONE WILL HEAR THIS MESSAGE AND SAY I
CAN MAKE IT TODAY BECAUSE MY ONE DAY IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND IN A LETTER FROM THE BIRMINGHAM JAIL DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR. DECLARED TIME ITSELF IS NEUTRAL.
IT CAN BE USED CONSTRUCTIVELY OR DESTRUCTIVELY.
PEOPLE OF ILL WILL HAVE USED MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN HAVE
THE PEOPLE OF GOODWILL. WE WILL HAVE TO REPENT IN THIS
GENERATION NOT MERELY FOR THE HATEFUL WORDS AND THE ACTIONS OF
THE BAD PEOPLE, BUT THE APPALLING SILENCE OF THE GOOD
PEOPLE. HUMAN PROGRESS NEVER ROSE ON THE
WILL OF INELIGIBILITY BUT IT COMES THROUGH THE TIRELESS
EFFORTS 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. WE MUST USE TIME CREATIVELY IN
THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIPE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.
TODAY CAN BE ONE DAY, BUT IT REQUIRES ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND
THAT WORK IS REQUIRED TO BUILD BRIDGES AND CONTRIBUTE ALL OF
OURSELVES TO HELP ELEVATE THE OPPRESSED AND THE DOWNTRODDEN.
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE
EVERYONE ELSE.TUNITIES AS- WE HAVE TO ENGAGE FERVENTLY IN
DISCOVERING MEANINGFUL WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMICS OF OUR
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE POOR. WE NEED TO TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT WE
HAVE, WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE'VE COME FROM.
AND I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TODAY NOT TO ALLOW ONE DAY TO CAUSE
APATHY OR COMPLACENCY, BUT USE TODAY TO WORK DI DILIGENTLY TO
PRODUCE THE ONE DAY THAT WE ENVISION TO HAVE UNITY, EQUITY
AND FREEDOM. DR. KING IN HIS FINAL SPEECH ON
THE MOUNTAINTOP DECLARED, LIKE ANYONE, I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE A
LONG LIFE. LONGEVITY HAS ITS PLACE.
BUT I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT NOW.
I JUST WANT TO DO GOD'S WILL. AND HE'S ALLOWED ME TO GO UP TO
THE MOUNTAIN, AND I'VE LOOKED OVER AND I'VE SEEN THE PROMISED
LAND. I MAY NOT GET THERE WITH YOU,
BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW TONIGHT THAT WE AS A PEOPLE WILL GET TO
THE PROMISED LAND. AND I'M HAPPY TONIGHT.
I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING. I'M NOT FEARING ANY MAN.
MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD.
AND TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, I AM CONFIDENT, AS DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR. ON HIS LAST NIGHT ON THIS EARTH THAT THE
VISION OF ONE DAY IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO PUSH HARDER TODAY,
THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT ONE DAY, WHICH IS THE
PROMISED LAND. AND IF I WAS IN MY SANCTUARY, I
WOULD LOOK AT MY CROWD AND I'D SAY WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A
NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> HERE TODAY TO RENDER AN EXCERPT FROM DR. KING'S 1963
SPEECH "I HAVE A DREAM" IS ALAYA MCMILLEN.
JUST 11 YEARS OLD. AND HERE.
THAT'S FOR YOU. AND SHE'S GOING TO RENDER THIS
EXCERPT. SHE LIKES VIDEO GAMES, CHAPTER
BOOKS ABOUT SOLVING CRIMES, GOING TO CHURCH WITH HER DAD,
SINGING IN THE CHOIR, HANGING OUT WITH HER LITTLE BROTHER AND
FAMILY, GOING TO SCHOOL. THEY LISHELIKES HER QUIET TIME.
ENJOYS HER DAD'S COOKING, MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH, RIDING HER BIKE IN
THE SUMMER, WATCHING MOVIES AND GETTING HER HAIR DONE, WHICH
MAKES HER FEEL PRETTY, LIKE A LITTLE PRINCESS.
AND PLEASE NOTE THIS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ALAYA
WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GROWS UP IS A POLICE OFFICER.
>> ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT!
>> PLEASE GIVE HER A WELCOME, ALAYA MCMILLEN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I AM ALAYA MCMILLEN, AS HE HAS SAID.
I AM 11 YEARS OLD AND I WILL BE READING PART OF MARTIN LUTHER
KING'S SPEECH. SO LET ME JUST GET ON STARTED.
SO EVEN THOUGH WE FACE THE DIFFICULTIES OF TODAY AND
TOMORROW, I STILL HAVE A DREAM. IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY ROOTED IN
THE AMERICAN DREAM. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS
NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED:
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE
CREATED EQUAL. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY ON
THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA, THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVES AND THE
SONS OF FORMER SLAVE OWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT
THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVEN
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, A STATE SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT
OF INJUSTICE, SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF OPPRESSION WILL BE
TRANSFORMED INTO AN OASIS OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.
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. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY DOWN
IN ALABAMA WITH ITS VICIOUS RACISTS, WITH ITS GOVERNOR
HAVING HIS LIPS DRIPPING WITH THE WORDS OF INTERPOSITION AND
NULLIFICATION, ONE DAY RIGHT DOWN IN ALABAMA LITTLE BLACK
BOYS AND BLACK GIRLS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS WITH LITTLE
WHITE BOYS AND WHITE GIRLS AS SISTERS AND BROTHERS.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY
EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED, EVERY HILL AND MOUNTAIN SHALL BE
MADE LOW, THE ROUGH PLACES WILL BE MADE PLAIN, AND THE CROOKED
PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT. AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL
BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER.
THIS IS OUR HOPE. THIS IS THE FAITH THAT I GO BACK
TO THE SOUTH WITH. WITH THIS FAITH, WE WILL BE ABLE
TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR A STONE OF HOPE.
WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING
DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF
BROTHERHOOD. WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE
TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PRAY TOGETHER, TO STRUGGLE TOGETHER,
TO GO TO JAIL TOGETHER, TO STAND UP FOR FREEDOM TOGETHER, KNOWING
THAT WE WILL BE FREE ONE DAY. 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.
AND IF AMERICA IS TO BE A GREAT NATION, THIS MUST BECOME TRUE.
AND SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE PRODIGIOUS HILLTOPS OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE. LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE MIGHTY
MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK. LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE
HEIGHTENING ALLEGHENIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE SNOWCAPPED ROCKIES OF COLORADO.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE CURVACEOUS SLOPES OF CALIFORNIA.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, LET FREEDOM RING FROM STONE MOUNTAIN OF
GEORGIA. LET FREEDOM RING FROM LOOKOUT
MOUNTAIN OF TENNESSEE. LET FREEDOM RING FROM EVERY HILL
AND MOLEHILL OF MISSISSIPPI. FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET
FREEDOM RING. AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND WHEN
WE ALLOW FREEDOM TO RING, WHEN WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY
VILLAGE AND EVERY HAMLET, FROM EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE
WILL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THAT DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN,
BLACK MEN AND WHITE MEN, JEWS AND GENTILES, PROTESTANTS AND
CATHOLICS, WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF
THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL: FREE AT LAST.
FREE AT LAST. THNK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE
AT LAST.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> GREAT JOB!
>> YEAH! >> GREAT JOB!
PROUD OF YOU, GIRL! [APPLASE]
>> I JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A
WONDERFUL TIME.
DO YOU ALL AGREE? THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT
CELEBRATION. [APPLAUSE]
AND WE HAD A GREAT WORD FROM OUR PASTOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORDS.
[APPLAUSE] CHICAGO MASS CHOIR TO TAKE US
OUT.
[APPLAUSE]
? ? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ? ? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ? ? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE FATHR
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ? I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE
? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ? ? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE FATHR AND THE SON ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? I GOT IT ? I TELL YOU, I'VE GOT IT,
YEAH ? ? I GOT IT, YEAH
? EVERLASTING LIFE ? I GOT IT, YEAH
? I GOT IT.
? I GOT IT, YEAH ? I GOT IT
? IF YOU KNOW YOU GOTT PUT THOSE HANDS TOGETHER.
>> I GOT IT. >. ?
YES, I GOT IT ? ? YES, I GOT IT
? I GOTT I GOT IT ? I GOT IT
? I GOT IT, I GOT IT ? HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE ? ? EVERLASTING LIFE
? HE THAT BELIEVETH
? EVERLASTING LIFE ? EVERLASTING LIFE
? I'M GONNA WALK THE STREETS OF
GOLD ? ? EVERLASTING LIFE
? YOU GOT TO SING AND SHOUT
? PRAY INDEED ? I PRAY INDEED
? THANK GOD ALL MIGHTY ? I'M FREE INDEED
? EVERLASTING LIFE ? EVERLASTING LIFE
? FREEDOM
HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ? FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON
? SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]