Thank you for making MLK Jr. day a success
On behalf of the Community Coalition for Social Justice, I want to thank everyone who made our 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration a success on Jan. 18.
We thank our cosponsor, Main Street Morgantown, especially Barb Watkins, and the City of Morgantown for financial support. We also thank The Dominion Post staff, especially Jim Bissett, and the students of the Health Science Technology Academy for their assistance in publicizing the event.
We partnered with the WVU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to offer the event via Zoom and Facebook Live this year. We are especially grateful to the OLLI staff — Jascenna Haislet, Michelle Klishis and Diane Cale — for their invaluable assistance in publicizing the program to OLLI members and for their technical expertise. We could not have done it without them. Working with OLLI also allowed people outside the Morgantown area to attend.
To highlight this year’s theme, “West Virginia Civil Rights Leaders,” Ilene Evans portrayed Memphis Tennessee Garrison, an African American teacher and NAACP activist.
Morgantown Mayor Ron Dulaney welcomed everyone, and Dr. Hope Koehler, WVU professor of voice, sang “Hold On” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem.
We were honored again to include the Morgantown/Kingwood Branch of the NAACP in our program. Dr. Jerry Carr Jr., branch president, introduced Demarcus Bandy, who gave a presentation on “Structural and Systemic Racism and How to Build an Equitable Future.” Dottie Wilson, a member of the Education Committee, also represented the branch during the program, while Marly Hazen Ynigues streamed the event on the NAACP Facebook page.
Barb Howe
Morgantown
America emerged strong from the Jan. 6 riots
The insurrectionist riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6 is a powerful visual stimulus etched in the hearts of all spectators. It was an assault on the citadel of our democratic system. While nature’s fury in the form of coronavirus is still raging, lies uttered by Trump and his cohorts are also spreading like a virus. A symphony of actors from Trump to top GOP senators kept alive the conspiracy theory and misinformation that ignited the fire. Statements like “I answered the call of President Trump” need no further explanation.
A robust investigation into all aspects is warranted. Proper punishment must be meted out to all who crossed the line to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum of our revered institution of democracy. That includes prominent senators and other lawmakers feeding the fodder — not to mention the former occupant of the highest office who directed the movement.
How does an ordinary citizen process all this?
America has a new president, Joseph Biden. Every president has a vision for their country. President Biden ushered in the new era with a COVID memorial prayer to heal the nation. The president’s first 100 days agenda looks impressive. Elected Democrats and Republicans alike should put the country first, not partisanship, to move the country forward.
Our democracy has been damaged in a serious way. Underlying issues like racism have deep roots and need methodical and sustained remedies to steer the country in the right direction.
Unless the United States of America acts as the cohesive thread, we are vulnerable to domestic as well as foreign threats. We emerged strong, and democracy at its best was evident when lawmakers went back to finish the job on the day of the riot.
Hope and faith are the best catalysts to guide the country.
God bless the United States of America.
Syamala Jagannathan
Morgantown
