Honoring Martin Luther King Jr

MILAN, N.M. – The 16th annual celebration of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held on January 17 in the Village of Milan, New Mexico. The annual event has moved across the county, from the City of Grants to now in the Village of Milan, but the premise of the celebration has maintained. Bringing together cultures, and recognizing that Cibola County, New Mexico, and the entire United States is not a home for hatred, but a place for acceptance and growth.

Showcasing artwork done by Cibola County students, the event invited all people across the state to partake in the event celebrating equality, civil rights, and the life of Dr. King, who devoted his life to making the United States a better and healthier place for all people. “Dr. Martin Luther King Junior had a dream, a dream of equality for all. As we go through the years, we are aiming for that – no discrimination, no hatred. Peace, prosperity for all. Here in Grants, every year, we put on some type of program to further that dream. Today we will be doing food bags, a display of work from Cibola schools and students. We will be taking food bags to homeless centers in Cibola County,” Angela Woods, contributor to the event, said.

The event aims at not just spreading awareness of Dr. King’s vision and dream for the future, but to share his idea of care. Goody bags were built which included food, a bottle of water, a cup courtesy of KMIN 980 AM radio station, a station local to Cibola County. The bags also had a flavor packet for the water, Chapstick, a pen and a journal, along with some food. The bags were distributed in honor of Dr. King across the county to people who are in need. One essay on display by Los Alamitos Middle School Student Sophia Bassett was entitled “Dr. King Jr. and how that helps me” the essay read, “Well for one, thanks to Dr. King’s contribution to society, I can be friends with and get help from anyone I would like, no matter their race.” In her essay, Bassett discussed Cibola County, mentioning the population of less than 30,000 people and explaining that, wherever you look, people of different races and background are friends. “Sure, society has a really long way to go to get rid of racism entirely, but let’s stick to the quote from Hamilton, ‘Aye though we’ll never be truly free until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me, you and I, do or die.’” Village of Milan Mayor Felix Gonzales was present at the event, mentioning that he attends the event annually. The words and actions of Dr. King P affected him profoundly, explaining that “I try to bring that kind of leadership to the village.” As a veteran, Mayor Gonzales explained that he has always fought for equality and to do what is right, even in the face of racism or other hate. Organizer of the event, Dorothy Pouges, explained that she meant Dr. King while she was in college. “Just like I said in church yesterday, just to hear him speak was something that – well we were all in awe just to hear get up and speak, without a manuscript!” Pouges was an educator, and one of the first black teachers in the community, “It was quite difficult, being the only black teacher for many, many years. I can truly say that there were many who stuck by me, and tried to make things better. And I can honestly say that some of them did make things better.” Social progress has been made in the United States, addressing it, Pouges said, “Like I say all the time, things are getting better. But, of course, I feel like we have a long way to go. That’s one of the reasons I started the Dr. Martin Luther King Day and celebration sixteen years ago. I had a vision that this was something I wanted to do, I talked to a friend of mine about, and she said ‘go for it! I will help you any way that I can.’”

The event started at the Community Outreach Center with around only five people, and has grown every year. “My vision is to continue informing the children about Martin Luther King, and his principals and everything he stood for. I want them to have in their heart the ability to believe in his vision, and accept people as they are. I want all races to come together and be friends.” Pouges vision follows a key sentence in the New Mexico State pledge, to make the state a “Perfect Friendship Among United Cultures.”

Those interested in donating to help the Dr. Martin Luther King Committee’s work can call 505-285- 5388 and ask for Dorothy Pouges or call 505-385- 4163 and ask for Angela Woods. Or, mail the Dr. Martin Luther King Planning Committee at P.O. Box 2471, Milan, New Mexico 87021.