THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601140099
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered Saturday as a ``prophet in our time,'' as about 200 Dare County residents, black and white, came together to celebrate King's life and legacy.
The event was part of a series of observances throughout the nation, commemorating the birth of the slain civil rights leader. King, who was assassinated April 4, 1968, would have turned 67 on Monday.
Echoing King's call to serve humanity, 1st District Judge J. Carlton Cole reminded the audience at Manteo High School that their neighbors are all of mankind.
``He is anyone who lies in need at life's roadside,'' Cole said. ``He is neither Jew nor Gentile; he is neither Russian nor American. He is neither black nor white. He is a `certain man,' any needy man on one of the numerous Jericho roads of life.''
Cole borrowed from one of King's speeches to talk about the tragedy of modern life.
``Dr. King said, `One of the great tragedies of man's long trek along the highway of history has been the limiting of neighborly concern to tribe, race, class or nation,' '' Cole said.
Cole called on society to step forward to make a positive difference in the world, especially when crime and violence have become ``this generation's Vietnam.''
``Why can't we be of service to man, woman and our children?'' Cole asked. ``As I see and hear cases across the 1st Judicial District, it cuts deep to see our neighbors - women and children - being abused and taken advantage of. It cuts deep in my heart to see two children, born approximately one year apart, addicted to cocaine . . . I wonder if the youth who are charged with drug offenses andviolent crime understand that instead of becoming leaders of tomorrow, they have staked themselves out as the problems of today and tomorrow, but for some positive intervention.''
Cole called on his listeners to show love for a world in trouble.
``Each of you needs to make a commitment by way of service to help solve some of these problems,'' Cole said. ``You may not immediately know if your love has made a difference. But I submit to you, as another writer phrased it, `If you wish to be a leader, you will be frustrated, because very few people wish to be led. If you aim to be a servant, you will never be frustrated.' ''
The two-hour celebration was climaxed by a performance by the Elizabeth City State University choir. Many in the audience wept as soloist Nikita Sutton sang ``Jesus Is the Center of My Life.'' The crowd joined hands and sang the anthem of the civil rights movement, ``We Shall Overcome.''
Saturday's event marked the county's seventh annual observance of King's birthday, sponsored jointly by the Haven Creek Baptist Church, The Free Grace Disciple Church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Roanoke Island Presbyterian Church. by CNB