Saluda MLK Day breakfast resumes
In 1954, before the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a well-known civil rights leader, he gave a sermon titled “Rediscovering Lost Values.” King’s message 69 years ago in some ways is as valid today as it was then. “If we are to go forward today, we’ve got to go back and re-discover some mighty precious values that we’ve left behind,” said Rev. Dr. King in that sermon, which focused on world problems.
This connection to the past was highlighted by featured speaker for the 18th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast, the Honorable Patricia Polson Satterfield.
Satterfield, a native of Christchurch in Middlesex County, is a retired justice of the Supreme Court of the state of New York, Queens County. She retired from the bench in 2011 and now lives in Middlesex.
“Fierce urgency”
Satterfield referred to King’s use of the phrase, “the fierce urgency of now,” which he used during his famous “I have a dream speech,” in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963.
“This day honoring Dr. King’s birth also is a fitting moment to confront a growing loss in Middlesex County,” said Satterfield, “the loss of our heritage, the loss of our history, the loss of our legacy. The fierce urgency of now is no more evident than in the minimization of the rich history of African-Americans in Middlesex County.”
Renewed effort
Fortunately, those who seek to discover more African-American history do not have to start from scratch, said Satterfield. She held up a copy of the 1994 book written at the urging of the Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee, titled “A History of African-Americans in Middlesex County, 1646-1992.”
She indicated that in the 29 years since the history book was published, little has been done to add to its foundation. However, there is a renewed spirit.
Heritage Committee
Satterfield chairs The Heritage Committee, created to discover and preserve the history of Cooks Corner and St. Clare Walker High School, which Satterfield attended when schools were segregated.
Among the committee’s goals are to find answers to many questions rooted in oral histories and family stories, said Satterfield. “How and when did Cooks Corner get its name? How did so many Black families acquire so much land?” There are many unanswered questions that need answers…
There's more to this story...
Are you a subscriber? Log in
Many more news articles, photos and ads are available only to those who subscribe to our printed newspaper or our online e-Edition.
Pick up a copy or Subscribe today!
| e-Edition | Printed version |
For assistance, call 804-758-2328.
