For nine years, DPSCD, the City of Detroit and Southeast Michigan communities have come to Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School to celebrate the King national holiday, honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year’s celebratory event consisted of a legacy march attended by DPSCD alumni, community leaders, students, and staff. Following the march, everyone convened in the auditorium for presentations and performances. The last part of the day included live enactments of struggles and accomplishments of Civil and Human Rights Activists by King’s alumni, staff, and students.
This year’s program had two thought-provoking themes: Looking Back to Move Forward and Staying in the Struggle Until We Win.
“There’s a saying that you don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been,” said Beula Brown, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. march lead decorator and volunteer.
The purpose of the skits and displays gave onlookers a realistic glimpse of the past and present. History teacher Dan Wolford dressed as a Klansman which was a challenging role for him since he has proven to be everything but racist.
“It’s difficult to be someone I have so aggressively been fighting against,” said Wolford. “Mrs. Spencer-Chapman recruited me. She said, ‘We want a white person to play a Klansman to add a realistic effect.’ It’s something that I don’t think anyone wants to do, but she talked me into it. I was still incredibly nervous and incredibly hesitant. It also reminded me of the struggle that’s still going on today.”
Principal Dr. Deborah Jenkins’ fondest memory of hosting the event is working alongside Michael Joseph, UAW-Ford co-chair and the many committed volunteers who give of their time.
“My students come to King unaware of many historical events which have shaped our country. Therefore, I’m intrigued by the students’ desire to learn and willingness to share. It just makes me very, very excited and proud of our students, parents, and community,” said Jenkins.
