By Hugh Fisher
hfisher@salisburypost.com
The dream of racial equality is alive, say those who came to Monday’s parade through downtown Salisbury celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
King was born Jan. 15, 1929.
And today, four decades after his assassination and 45 years after the March on Washington in which King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech, the civil rights leader’s dream comes closer to fruition.
Today’s inauguration of the nation’s first African-American president, Barack Obama, was celebrated as much as King’s legacy in Monday’s parade.
Numerous people in the parade and along its route wore Obama shirts or cheered his name as they marched.
A sign on the front of a pickup holding members of the Steppin’ Out Social Club showed both men’s faces side by side.
“Happy Birthday Dr. King!” read a sign on the truck’s side. The club members inside sang a birthday song as they passed through the intersection of Main and East Innes streets.
Turnout was sparse along Main Street in downtown, but the crowd was diverse: black and white, young and old, all stood and sat together.
Bonnie Harrell, of Salisbury, said the parade was a sign of how much Americans have embraced equality, and that Obama’s inauguration was another reflection of that spirit.
“For me, that’s the significance of tomorrow,” Harrell said.
Gloria Farris came from Spencer with her children, Janiya and Jal’eel Pemmberton. She said the parade was a great experience.
“The only thing I’m missing is a band,” Farris said. “I’ve heard no drums, no nothing.”
No bands participated in this year’s parade.
But other than that, Farris said she was happy for her children to experience the parade as part of their African-American heritage.
“They need to see this,” Farris said.
Likewise, Barbara Wilson, of East Spencer, brought her grandchildren, Shamari Evans and Tamara Gill, to the parade. They were visiting from Greensboro for the holiday weekend.
“Everybody’s having a good time,” Evans said. “(King) said we should all come together, and we’re here ó black, white, all together.”
“I think that the first black president, Obama, will change the world,” Gill said.
Young people gathered in groups to watch the parade echoed that sentiment. Amarie Houston, who watched the parade with a group of teenage friends, said she was “giving thanks” for Obama.
“We have a dream,” Houston said.
Still larger crowds gathered along Monroe Street across from Livingstone College, where students and residents lined the sidewalk together.
Thomas Johnson, a Livingstone student originally from Mississippi, said this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day brought “a sense of accomplishment.”
“The fights that our forefathers fought for us ó it’s not in vain,” Johnson said. “(King) is not here but he’s up in heaven rejoicing.”
Gloria Gray, of Salisbury, said she never thought she’d see a black president elected. It was fitting, she said, that inauguration day would fall the day after King’s birthday was celebrated.
“It’s amazing, truly amazing, to be here,” Gray said. “It’s somber, but there’s excitement for what’s coming tomorrow. It’s something people have been waiting for for a long, long time.”
Melanie Tanksley walked by the parade route with two of her children. Her husband, Steven, rode in the parade on the bus with others from the Wiley Lash Head Start center.
“I’m elated,” Tanksley said.
For her, this year’s King Day parade is special because of Obama’s background.
“My husband is black and I am Caucasian,” she said. “We have five biracial children.”
The president-elect is also biracial.
Tanksley said she looked forward to Obama and his wife, Michelle, working to bring unity to the country.
“It underlines a sense of there being one nation for all,” she said.
Local artist Michael Kirksey said he was exhilarated by the accomplishments of African-Americans like Obama and by the example that today’s inauguration would show to other nations.
“This is the biggest show in the world right now,” Kirksey said.
“You see people participating. It seems that all Americans are more accepting right now,” Kirksey said. “It’s as if the prophecy of Martin Luther King has come true, that white and black people are joining hands.”