Members of the Community Anti-Racism Effort of Rockbridge (CARE Rockbridge) remember there was controversy when the group organized its first Martin Luther King Jr. Community Parade in January 2017.
But heading into its ninth edition, the march celebrating of King’s legacy is now a well-known and well-loved local tradition, they say. More than 800 are expected to walk the downtown Lexington route on the morning of Monday, Jan. 20.
“When we first had the idea of marching to celebrate King’s birthday, some saw us as causing unnecessary friction with those who come to Lexington every year to honor the Confederacy,” explained Robin LeBlanc, CARE vice president. “But as we prepare for the ninth annual parade, we are buoyed by the knowledge that the nonviolent pursuit of justice, love, and equality is a cause shared across the community. Every year we have hundreds marching with us, shouting out their convictions that we really are all equal.”
CARE leaders emphasize that the annual MLK parade is an event where area residents can get a revitalizing taste of positive community engagement, despite the polarizing rhetoric in the news.
“As CARE Rockbridge commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the ninth annual MLK Community Parade, we do so keeping in mind the importance of remembering that he did the work for justice under the umbrella of love,” explained CARE President the Rev. Reginald A. Early. “Now more so than ever we need to keep this truth in our minds and hearts,” he emphasized, adding, in words reminiscent of King, “Love is the answer, not hate.”
In keeping with the practices of previous year, the CARE parade publicity poster is the original work of a young artist. This year’s primitive style image of a diverse group of marchers on a street crowded with familiar landmarks was created by Washington and Lee junior Abby Kim and is visible at businesses throughout Rockbridge County and even as far as downtown Staunton.
“I couldn’t help but think about the importance of togetherness and inclusiveness within the spirit of MLK Day,” said Kim. “Especially in times like right now and in small communities like our own, such notions feel especially important. So, with this in mind, I drew our parade in the clearest way possible, within the familiar streets of Lexington,” she explains.
For the first time this year, the CARE Rockbridge Reading in Color program will also contribute to the King birthday celebration for children at Washington and Lee University. CARE volunteers will sponsor three read-alongs at 11:30 a.m., noon, and 12:30 p.m. Also, at 12:45 p.m., CARE will raffle off a copy of “It Starts with Me,” a children’s book about loving community by Dr. Bernice A. King and Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson. “After the parade, you, too, can continue to celebrate love, diversity, and community with your family,” said CARE’s Reading in Color coordinator Lynny Chin. The event will be in the University’s Evans Hall, room 109.
Parade organizers say that, by counting the stickers they distribute to participants, they are able to come up with good estimates of how many attend each year. In most years that number is well over 800; even under last year’s wet snow, organizers distributed more than 600 stickers. They express confidence that the ninth parade should bring a big crowd.
The CARE Rockbridge Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Randolph Street United Methodist Church at 118 S. Randolph St. The approximately threequarter mile walk takes less than an hour. As in the past, Sweet Treats of Lexington and the Lexington Presbyterian Church are offering hot refreshments to participants in the church hall at the conclusion of the march.
“Everyone is welcome to this family-friendly event, and we hope they bring signs celebrating our commitment to a loving, just community,” LeBlanc said. Organizers remind participants that signs should be made of crushable materials.
