Celina Valentina Echols, the first African American to hold full professorship with tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University, delivered a stirring keynote address, challenging those in attendance to follow their dreams and not allow those dreams to be deferred.
Under a somber and chilly mid-January sky, the message of Martin Luther King, Jr. radiated around the Hammond, La. park bearing the Civil Rights champion’s name.
The day’s celebrations began with a large parade that gathered near downtown Hammond and progressed to Martin Luther King Jr. Park. More than 200 people gathered at the park to celebrate and honor the man many consider the founder of the civil rights movement.
The theme for the 2023 event celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day was “What Legacy Are You Leaving?"
“Today, we are gathered to mobilize, honor and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Echols said, noting that the event was being held one day after what would have been King’s 94th birthday. “What a great and beautiful day to be invited to revisit ‘I Have a Dream,’” she added, recalling King’s famous 1963 speech which helped plant the seed of the civil rights movement.
Echols recalled how King had his dreams, found his niche and made sure the dreams became realities. He entered Morehouse College at the age of 15. Then in 1955, he earned his Ph.D. at the age of 26 years old, and this was at a time when it was difficult for people of color, especially black individuals, to earn a bachelor’s degree at some state universities.
Echols even referenced her own father, who in 1961, had to commute to Southern University in Baton Rouge to get his master’s degree because there were no Mississippi universities at the time that allowed African Americans to enroll in their graduate program.
King also dreamed of being on the cover of a major magazine. Along the way, he was twice selected Man of the Year by Time Magazine.
His dreams were filled with hope and not hate. Echols encouraged others to pursue their dreams, but pointed out they must “first understand a few things about dreamers.” She first advised that if one waits too long, the dream becomes deferred. She also explained how anyone can dream, but there are always jealous people lurking like coyotes and hyenas in the shadows.
She explained that, as these individuals try to kill your dream, you begin to focus on what you can’t do rather than what you can do. The dream becomes deferred. She said that one must always ask for God’s guidance because one’s plan may not necessarily be God’s plan.
She also reminded that timing is essential, explaining that too much haste has the potential to waste golden opportunities … a dream deferred.
Echols said that King delivered his speech in August 1963 on a warm and humid day in front of 250,000 people. He was speaking on that day because people were still being mistreated and lynched, souls were being limited at the polls, people were unjustly being placed in jail and forced to attend segregated schools and being made to wait in spare waiting rooms during medical visits.
She said in those days, it was not uncommon to see signs that read “Whites Only” or “Negroes Only” at public water fountains, eating establishments and even movie theaters.
Echols believes the fruits of King’s speech can be seen in many areas, including the racial inclusion of the recent Black Lives Matter movement. We see these fruits all around us today. She believes that even though there are difficulties to be faced today and tomorrow, the dream that is deeply rooted in the American tapestry is still possible.
Echols stated that if King were alive today, he would encourage people to keep dreams alive by believing in and supporting others, especially young people. It is important that young people know that their votes and voices do make a difference.
Echols challenged individuals to ask themselves what their legacy will be.
“Do it! Plan it! Make it happen!” she said. “Do not let the dream become deferred!"
Echols attended Jackson State University and obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, attended Wesley Theology Seminar (DC) and ultimately earned a terminal degree from the University of Akron in Ohio.
A resident of Hammond, La., she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Echols of Foxworth.
