"A New Day is Coming... A New Day is Already Here"

Though Hurricane Irene prevented the dedication ceremony for the new national monument dedicated to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington D.C., the weather was perfect here in Minneapolis for the in the Kingfield Neighborhood. Neighbors and community members from throughout the city gathered on the 48th anniversary of the famous “I have a Dream” speech to celebrate a new effort to commemorate Dr. King in the park.

The main focal point of the celebration was the move of the Freedom Form #2 sculpture to a more prominent location toward the Southwest end of the park, near where it was originally located. Soon, the sculpture will have a commemorative plaque, benches inscribed with Dr. King’s quotes, and landscaping to beautify the area. 

To keep a dream alive

Sunday’s dedication ceremony included performances by the young people from We Win Institute, who danced and drummed, Storyteller Nothando Zulu and the Deliverance for Youth Choir.

Local spoken word artist Sha’ Cage delivered a poem that contained in part quotations from Dr. King as well as a thoughts about how to keep Dr. King’s dream alive today.

“We embrace prophecy on bended knee,” Cage spoke in her poem. “A new day is coming. A new day is already here, y’all for all those ready to pick up the baton that King carried. Change smells like cherries in December.” 

Also performing at Sunday’s celebration were the Sabathanites, who have been playing since 1965 and got back together 15 years ago. Their ages range from 59 to 64. They play all over the Midwest, and last year marched again for the Aquatennial parade after boycotting it in 1967 after a riot where police beat up some of their members.

“We decided it was time to march again,” said Jonathan Guilmant.

They also marched in Aquatennial this year. 

Preserving a legacy

“I’m excited about the rededication of the park,” said Megan Lee-Erickson, who lives across the street.

She’s a dog owner, but was not in favor of a dog park being put in the park when she heard there was objection to it in the African American community.

The controversy ended with the , and to plan for ways that Dr. King’s Legacy could be continued. Lee-Erickson says she likes the sculpture’s new more prominent location, and plans to be supportive of efforts to make sure Dr. King’s legacy is continued in the park. 

“This is the first of many celebrations reclaiming Dr. King’s legacy,” said Sandra Richardson, a member of the committee.

“We as a community have an obligation to preserve Dr. King’s legacy,” she said, so that it’s not just a memorial but the park is an active part in keeping Dr. King’s dream alive.