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The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast that was held Monday morning in the University of Maine Wells Conference Center proved more than just a time to eat and reflect on the great American’s accomplishments. According to Maine Attorney General G. Steven Roweit, it was a time to “not only remember [King's messages], but implement them.”
Before the ceremonies and speaking began, everyone in attendance was encouraged to discuss King and his accomplishments. Interim UMaine President Robert Kennedy said it was an opportunity to address issues relevant to this university.
“The breakfast helps us to articulate the importance of civil rights and human rights in our diverse community,” he said.
Other speakers included Congressman Michael H. Michaud, and State Sen. Elizabeth Schneider. These speeches led up to the keynote address, by attorney Jerry Leaphart of Danbury, Conn.
During the speeches, a common theme developed: The need for all persons to unite.
“This is not a time for individual leaders. It is a time for group effort with everyone pitching in to bring his message into reality.” Leaphart said.
James Varner, president of the Greater Bangor Area National Association of the Advancement Colored People, said that in the American consciousness, minorities are still sitting at the back of the bus. An example of this, according to Michaud, is evident in the great economic disparity between races.
“The issues that MLK fought for are still here today,” Michaud said.
The speakers noted problems in such areas as minority health care, citing proof that they receive less care overall and poorer quality of care during doctor visits than white Americans. Leaphart said this evidence challenges the assumptions of many Americans.
“In this society, you have those who believe that in the United States, all you have to do is work hard and get your act together,” Leaphart said.
He said that the quality of care in other countries has surpassed America’s in some respects.
“Cuba has an infant mortality rate lower than ours,” he said.
During the conference a petition regarding an event more close to home was passed around. In 1993, a man named Darren Vargas moved his family to Maine and bought a run-down shack he intended to fix it up. He immediately became the victim of hate crimes.
Neighbors accused him of dealing drugs, rocks were thrown at his house, “KKK” was spray painted on his belongings, and he received life-threatening phone calls. In 1996, bullets were fired into his house. Law enforcement claimed that he was responsible for the gunfire. He has since paid fines, spent three years in jail and is now on probation. The petition will allow his friends and supporters to publish a book about his case.
Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, closed the event with a speech on King’s life.
“Indeed, Dr. King embraced the powerful tenet that we are stronger united, rather than divided – and united we must remain in the eradication of intolerance and injustice,” she said.
