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Philadelphia Jewish Exponent archives<\/p>\n Philadelphia Jewish Exponent archives<\/p>\n
The assassination of historic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 led to a 15-year battle to get a federal holiday honoring King signed into law. Now, the third Monday in January serves as a perpetual reminder of his work and desire for a better world.<\/p>\n
In this month\u2019s edition of \u201cRemember When,\u201d we\u2019re looking at a story published in the Jan. 20, 1995, edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent titled \u201cA dream recalled\u201d, written by Hanan Fishman.<\/p>\n
Fishman wrote that, \u201cIf not for an assassin\u2019s bullet 27 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 66 last Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fishman explained that the Germantown Jewish Centre hosted its 12th annual celebration of King, which was titled \u201cAssessing the Dream,\u201d and had 43 local Philadelphia organizations sponsoring.<\/p>\n
The event was an interfaith remembrance with 750 attendees that featured readings documenting some of the \u201csaddest moments in African American history\u201d and musical acts.<\/p>\n
Keynote speaker Dr. Marcienne Mattleman spoke about the various aspects of King\u2019s famous dream and his list of accomplishments. She added that many of King\u2019s goals are yet to be realized, given the tough conditions facing the Philadelphia African American community.<\/p>\n
The other keynote speaker was Rev. Robert DuBose Jr., King\u2019s colleague. Fishman reported that DuBose gave an emotional speech that gave firsthand insight into King and his civil rights work.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe recounted the days of segregation, referring to the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court decision, which upheld the separate-but-equal doctrine allowing for racial segregation,\u201d Fishman wrote. \u201c\u2018When we say separate, you can be sure it was not equal,\u2019 DuBose said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fishman added that, earlier in the week on Jan. 11, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Council of B\u2019nai B\u2019rith, the Federal Executive Board and JCRC sponsored a program marking King\u2019s birthday.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018It is up to present and future generations to realize the dreams of past generations and to dream new dreams to be passed on,\u2019 said Johnny J. Butler, district director of EEOC,\u201d wrote Fishman.<\/p>\n