Staunton tributes are plenty for King

The messages of tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came from all ages Monday night at the Staunton community memorial service in King's honor.

The service at Central United Methodist Church followed a 15-minute candlelight march for peace and justice through downtown Staunton.

Mary Baldwin College freshman Rakia Braggs described the King holiday as "a glorious day'' in memory of a man who "was a symbol of unity and equality."

Braggs said King wanted children to live in a world where "they would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Braggs said King's wisdom should allow each of us to celebrate our differences, and see one another as equal human beings.

Mary Baldwin's student government president, senior Krittika Krishnan, said King's courage has set an example that continues to be followed today. She said nonviolent protests are held across the world, and said that "it is important that we fight for what we believe in and never give up."

While King fought for equality for all, Monday's celebration of life served as a call to help with the area's hunger problem. Steve Grande, the director of civic engagement at Mary Baldwin's Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement, asked the crowd at Central United to help the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Grande pointed to the years of struggle by King in his fight for equality, and the years of involvement in the local NAACP in Alabama by Rosa Parks before she refused to move to the back of the bus.

He asked the crowd "to take one step'' toward fighting the area's hunger problem by giving an offering.

The nearly two-hour service included readings of Scripture and musical performances by the Al Hamilton Community Choir, Mary Baldwin's Annointed Voices of Praise Gospel Choir and the college's liturgical dance group.

Staunton Mayor Lacy King Jr. offered a proclamation declaring Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Staunton.

Monday's candlelight march and community service were sponsored by the Staunton Branch of the NAACP, Mary Baldwin's Office of African-American and Multicultural Affairs, and the college's department of philosophy and religion.