Houma-Thibodaux Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations filled with hope, optimism

A 10-year-old's essay honored a great American hero's legacy as a nonviolent advocate for human rights.

Ci're Spot, 10, a fifth-grader at St. Charles Elementary, used a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to open his essay, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." King is honored, he said, for his adherence to nonviolence, love of everyone and determination to make the country a better place.

He then continued in his own words:

"It is because of Dr. King's love and collaborations that I can stand here today," the 10-year-old wrote. "Organization and discipline can help us change the world."

Spot was competing in the Lafourche Parish NAACP's essay competition for children under the age of 12. He and two others were awarded $150 each. The others were Jayven Davis, 9, and his sister, Harmony Davis, 12. Jayven said he plans to use the money to get a television for his bedroom.

The three were awarded their money at the St. Luke Community Center, 300 E. 11th St. in Thibodaux, during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, Monday, Jan. 15. The celebration was filled with dancing, gospel music and speeches.

Martha Jones, 43, and her daughter, Katrina Washington, 18, also were in attendance. The two live in Montz, but Jones said they attend the Lafourche Parish celebration every year because it is important to her that they return to where they are from. Washington was part of the dance group performing during the celebration and said she celebrates King because he's a hero, and celebrating the man's legacy is a tradition.

"He advocated for Black people, for our rights, our freedoms, and equality," she explained. "I don't know, it's just always been a big factor in Black African-Americans' lives - he was the voice."

Jones and her daughter are from Thibodaux, and she said she wants her daughter to learn the importance of King's history from Lafourche Parish NAACP President Burnell Tolbert because he grew up here as well.

The celebration was at the St. Luke Community Center, and around the room were photos of King, and others of former President Barack Obama. Another read "New Generation, Old Battle."

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During the program, Tolbert told attendees that King and others struggled and suffered for the right to vote. He cited national statistics that only 37% of eligible Black voters actually voted in 2018, 2020, and 2022. A right earned and not used, Tolbert said, has no value.

"You've got power in voting. You've got power in pushing that button," he said. "And if you don't exercise your right, with the sacrifices that have been made - being shot, being killed, being hosed down, being bitten by dogs… they sacrificed, some of them their lives. The sacrifice they made, it made life better for us, and so it's very important."

He said a vote is equality, that no single vote has any more power over another, but together they can force change from those in power, or replace them altogether.

In Terrebonne, the celebration began at the steps of the Houma courthouse where about 100 people gathered to hear music and to hear elected officials speak. The recently elected, 35-year-old Lafourche Parish Councilman DeJae Broomfield began by singing gospel music before transitioning to a speech about a hopeful future.

Broomfield, the youngest councilmember in either parish, said both parishes face an uphill battle against a fentanyl crisis, a crowded juvenile system, and more, but these challenges would be overcome.

"The best is yet to come, not just for you but collectively for this entire Terrebonne Parish, and the entire Tri Parish," he said. He even touched on the recent closing of three schools in Terrebonne, "I am telling you what is happening is not happening to you, it is happening for you."

Broomfield also told attendees not to allow themselves to be limited by their planned future, and be open to the possibilities for more.

Originally from Houma, Broomfield moved to Thibodaux, where he now works as a painter for John Deere. He ran in the last election against incumbent Jerry Jones and won in the run off.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Houma-Thibodaux filled with hope