The MLK Day Event Created by the People

Antonio Castillo

On Monday, Jan. 18th, 2016, I had the pleasure of joining Antonio Castillo and his family for a breezy afternoon at Washington Park to commemorate Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. With the program coordinator for the Brownsville Historical Association, Craig Stone, busy celebrating his neo-confederate holiday, Castillo planned the MLK Day event on his own and invited people via Facebook, emails, and word-of-mouth.

"Several teachers expressed interest in coming, but could not because of school duties... I expected it to be a small turnout," Castillo said. BISD marks Martin Luther King Day as a half-day for students and as a full work day for faculty and staff.

Over the next 2½ hours, people arrived and learned about the meaning of the Davis monument and the importance of King's actions. A few elected officials and candidates also joined us to show their support in our event's remembrance of King and spoke to us about their positions on local issues.

Dr. Osbert Gamaliel Haro Rodriguez III (left) - Candidate for Texas State Senator District 27

Amber Medina (center) - Cameron County Democratic Party Chairwoman

Sheila Garcia Bence (center) - Candidate for Cameron County Court at Law #4

Eddie Trevino (2nd from left) - former Mayor of Brownsville / Candidate for Cameron County Judge

Sheila Garcia Bence's team and information table

The most unexpected part of the afternoon, however, was listening to John Young's firsthand account of participating in a civil rights rally led by King himself. This man's passion for social justice shined through his voice, facial expressions, and body movements.

He enthusiastically recounted how he witnessed a group of King's supporters making their way down a nearby street and decided to join in their peaceful protest. As he and the group marched, people mocked and shouted vulgarities at them nonstop from the sidelines. At some point, the local police tried to control the group with violence, which Young reenacted by swinging his arms as if shoving someone to the ground and pummeling relentlessly. Still, the movement continued, conveying their purpose without stooping to aggression, while the onlookers spewed their hate.

He then told us how there were times in which society had come across another injustice, and people around him would ask "Where is Martin Luther King when you need him?" After hearing that question so many times, he realized that there was a more important question to be asked. "Why am I not Martin Luther King?"

The truth is that there was only one Martin Luther King Jr. Though he is most well-known as a civil rights activist, his speeches and books touched on other topics our textbooks may not have mentioned such as the ignored voices of the poor, the dangers of capitalism, the consideration of democratic socialism, and the unnecessary preference of military action and violence. The man had followers to share his ideas of peaceful social reform and act on his behalf, and this is where you and I come in.

Brownsville for Bernie Sanders

We can be those people, doing our best to improve everyone's living conditions, no matter the time or issue. We can honor people like Martin Luther King Jr. by emulating his desire for progress and achieving it through peaceful means. We can accomplish great things by working in numbers and acting civilly.

Rafael Collado and family with a MLK children's book held in front of the offensive Jefferson Davis monument

"This was the result of only a few days of planning. Imagine if the city or museum planned it for several months." I commend Antonio Castillo for his noble efforts in organizing this event of commemoration and hope that the Brownsville Historical Association is taking notes. Martin Luther King Day should be acknowledged with an official city event that everyone can attend and enjoy.