Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

“A man had a dream.  

(A wish, a hope, an aspiration.)  

A dream that was called cultural diversity. 

A dream that all people of every race could live in peace with one another.” 

Alexandria Landavazo, a Belen eighth-grader, recited her poem, “A Dream …” at the 30th annual Belen Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Commission candlelight vigil.  

Landavazo won first place in the commission’s verbal arts contest.  

The civil rights leader was celebrated and remembered on what would have been his 95th birthday for his life’s work of inclusion, equality and nonviolence. 

During the vigil held at the Belen Public Library Monday, Belen Fire Chief Charles Cox delivered the keynote address.  

“I’m not here to talk about me or my position or the titles that I have,” Cox told the crowd who attended.

“We are gathered here to commemorate the life and legacy of one of the most influential leaders in the history of civil rights — Dr. Martin Luther King. 

“Dr. King’s words and actions continues to resonate, reflect, serving as a constant inspiration and guidance in our ongoing quest for equality and justice.” 

Cox said King was not just a leader, but a visionary. He said the pastor was a champion for nonviolence, and it was his dream that people would be judged based on the character rather than the color of their skin. 

“He chose love over hate; understanding over bitterness; and peace over lies,” Cox said of King. “… He recognized that true equality could not exist without addressing the economic disparity in society … We need to recognize his dream is still in progress. The struggle of civil rights and equality is ongoing.”    

Along with several musical presentations, area school children were presented awards for artwork they created in honor of King.  

In the art contest for students from kindergarten through sixth grade, Hannah Keisling won first place, Ryan Sandlin won second, and Fred Landavazo came in third.  

In the art context for seventh through 12th grade students, Magdalena Sisneros won first place, Isabella Landavazo won second and Thomas Leon Seabolt won third place.  

As the guest speaker for the 33rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service at the University of New Mexico-Valencia campus last Saturday, Gordon touched on other firsts he and his family had accomplished. He and his brother, Howard Gordon, were the third generation to serve the Bayonne New Jersey Police Department for a total of 64 years of continuous service by the family. 

His work in law enforcement in his hometown taught him the importance of community and emphasized the idea that it takes a village to raise a generation of children.  

“Somewhere, we lost the village, we lost everything about working as a group and we have to get back there for the next generation,” Gordon said. “Dr. King gave us the blueprint. He wanted us to be able to walk up to anyone of any nationality with our head held high and look them in the eye. He wanted us to be able to look at somebody and shake their hand, standing straight. 

“He told us we can walk shoulder to shoulder with anybody because we are a proud people. We have to remember where we came from. Now, Dr. King, he had a village. His village was huge. You don’t have that, but we have the foundation of making it; we need to get back to the roots, get it done. I think that’s what he wanted from us. Remember, to take the village with you.” 

Samuel Dosumu, chancellor of the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus, said the celebration of Dr. King was a time for reflection.  

“One of my conclusions was that you could discriminate against me for the color of my skin. I don’t have any control over that,” Dosumu said. “But you’re not going to discriminate against me because I don’t have the qualifications, the experience or the skill. And that drove everything I did. I want to say thank you to you all for reminding us of what this day represents and for being part of something bigger than us.”