The Mother's Club of Wheatley Heights and The Concerned Fathers Association presented a beautiful tribute to Dr Martin Luther King Jr. at the Dix Hills branch of the Half Hollow Hills Community Library.

Congressman Steve Israel opened the remembrance with a story of Dr Martin Luther King Jr's first assassination attempt. Remembering the recent shooting in Arizona, Israel reminded us of  how we are all Americans, and we should resolve our differences in a nonviolent manner. Israel also recited some of  Martin Luther King's inspirational quotes:

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase....."

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it..."

"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence..."

"We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools..."

"In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends..."

"Remembering MLK" was filled with music sung by Jacqueline Porter-Bell and Kiara Starling; there was a solo clarinet performance by Sydney Taylor, a lyrical dance by the Venettes Cultural Workshop, a short play written by Jamie McKenzie, and an oratorial essay "Beyond all Limits" by Brittany Morris.

This oratorial essay by Morris won first place in Suffolk's Jack and Jill of America contest and third place in the Metro Cluster. Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated is an African-American organization of mothers who nurture future leaders by strengthening children ages 2-19.

As Coretta Scott King said,"This is not a black holiday; it is a peoples' holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of [Martin Luther King's] dream."

Being at "Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King" at the library, it seemed MLK's dream has been mostly fulfilled, but the reality is that beyond the walls of our community we are still divided by intolerance and injustice. 

We must hold fast to King's dream, for in that dream is the salvation of our nation and we as humans.