By Bernice Elizabeth Green
Sterling speeches, superior performances, film screenings, and moving award presentations are all expected on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday in January, in honor of the anniversary of the Civil Rights leader’s birth.
For Brenda Brunson-Bey, the nationally known fashion designer, and Tina Callendar, a school librarian, this year’s celebration at The Brooklyn Academy of Music was more than an entertainment.
“I’ve been attending BAM’s celebration since it started 40 years ago, this was the best one yet, Brooklyn resident Brenda Brunson-Bey told Our Time Press. “This was a creative, immersive experience, from morning to evening — a work of art.”
The 40th Annual Tribute continued BAM’s tradition of celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in the days before and after it. The birthday celebration featured powerful remarks by The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II; a special solo performance from Grace by Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance Company; a rousing musical performance by The Fire Ensemble; and more. “I loved how they used local people; there were no stars.”
The morning program, which began at 10 a.m., did not end until the afternoon. “Rev. Barber and the music and dance tributes were powerful,” Brenda observed. “Rev. Barber walked out with his two canes and talked for 35 minutes. I had a feeling I had not felt since those Civil Rights days. It was people unified in finding something different.”
“BAM also recruited singers for a people’s choir. They enlisted local people from local choirs at various churches to sing at BAM. Another reason I liked this year’s tribute was that the groups performing were from all over the borough.
The tribute continued throughout the day with a free screening of Just Mercy at 1pm at BAM Rose Cinemas, a performance by the Brooklyn Music School’s intergenerational choir on the steps of the Peter Jay Sharp Building, and family-friendly activities presented by BAMkids in The Adam Space.
The special surprise came in the evening with a reading of King’s last speech before he was killed.
Jeffrey Wright came out on the stage, and we were expecting other actors to follow. Then, he introduced Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, then Public Advocate Tish James, then Alvin Bragg, then Mayor Mamdani. “The audience roared, the applause was thunderous. I thought the idea of using politicians to play actors was genius.” James and Mamdani, in particular, received loud, cheering ovations.
“We were surprised. Each read different sections of the speech. It was a unique piece. And they all delivered emotionally, in the manner of King. Mamdani read it like he was Martin. Tish read it like she was Martin. Wright and all others were Martin.
After the reading, the floor was opened to the audience to offer comments. There were words of unity, words of togetherness, words of poignancy, Tina noted. “Some were deeply poignant.
One woman asked, “What are we going to do for our children?”
Brunson-Bey says she will never forget the moment a Black child, 9, stood up and confidently declared what he could expect in the future. What kind of world will be waiting for him? The son of a teacher and a watchmaker, the young man received a standing ovation.
Young people was a constant topic in many of Dr. King’s speeches, and it was apparent to Brunson-Bey that the young man’s mother, a teacher, and father, a watchmaker had made sure their son heard them.
“We all have heard Martin’s speech,” she told Our Time Press. But this time we heard messages we had never heard before. And when we heard that entire speech, we were looking at each other and talking to each other — communicating not by text but words spoken.
The audience, Ms. Callender said, included young and older, all races, and nationalities. The experience at BAM reminded Brunson-Bey “of the time of the Civil Rights movement when college kids went against the grain.
“What helped that movement was television, we could visually see and understand what was going on. We could see what was happening in Selma, Alabama, on that Bridge, and it changed the country.
“Now we have the convenience of powerful technology, cell phones, apps all kinds of ways to communicate and to build. But nothing beats the power of that moment. Friends, neighbors, artists, residents, and faith, business, social, and civic leaders linking arms for the day in a way that inspired a thought in Tina: “We, in the audience, were the vision of justice and equality forward.”
“We embody Dr. King’s words and Rev. Barber’s cry, calling for unity and action, and we are beginning to talk to each other. It’s people coming together, and understanding that we’re all in this together. I see something awakening.”
