The Plainsman Press - South Plains College

Jennifer Conlee, co-news editor

South Plains College remember Martin Luther King, Junior as a hero

Nearly 30 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr., was shot and killed as he rallied for equality for Blacks in America.

King is remembered every January as a hero to many, and other Blacks are celebrated in February, which is Black History Month. On Jan. 31, South Plains College’s Black Student Organization held a candle light service to honor King, along with other Black Equality advocates.

The service, which was held in the Sundown Room in the Student Center, featured speakers, singers, and even a dancer, all congregating to pay homage to a man they claim as a hero hero.

Besides Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, the lady who would not give up her seat on the bus for a white man, was also honored.

The service began with a moment of silence to remember King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, who had died in her sleep earlier that day. Then, a prayer was said, and Byron McBride led the group in the “Star Spangled Banner.”

David Jones, vice president of student affairs as SPC, welcomed the audience by reminding everyone that they are all still students at heart, but some have more learning to do than others. He closed by saying, “I encourage you to learn and live your life as you should.”

A group of third-graders from Capitol Elementary School in Levelland presented posters that recalled other famous Black Americans, as well as the NAACP and the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments of the Constitution. Their teacher, Ruby J. Brackens, reminded the audience that racism is not that far away from our area.

“I grew up in Levelland, and I still remember when we had ‘Whites only’ and ‘Blacks only’ water fountains,” said Breckens. “I was one of the first Black students to attend Capitol Elementary during desegregation, and I am the first Black teacher they have ever had.”

“We have come along way, but we still have a long way to go,” she finished.

Other highlights of the evening were the poems and Power Point presentations that were done to remember Parks and King, along with the bombings of churches and other hate acts that were performed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Tanya Espinoza, a leader from the Hispanic Student Organization, also spoke on behalf of King and Parks, and C.J. Smith, from the BSO, performed a wonderful hip-hop-style dance.

The keynote speaker of the night was Billie Wayne Lemons, who claimed that the evening was so nice that there really was no need for a keynote speaker. Lemons, who is the pastor of the Twentieth and Birch Church of Christ in Lubbock, reminded the audience that King did not want people to be judged by what they were on the inside (their looks, backgrounds, or homes), but by the content of their character.

Lemons is also employed with his wife at the Children’s Home of Lubbock, and has a grown son, two grandchildren, and an adopted five-month old son.

After the speech, Maria Lopez-Strong, the college’s diversity coordinator, presented the first annual MLK spirit award. This new award is for a person who embraces diversity, promotes service to others, and works to build cultural understanding in the community.

The recipient of this year’s award was Viver “Bobbie” Loving, who has been employed by SPC in Texan Hall since 1968. Loving is the mother of five grown children. Her three daughters were all students at SPC.

Loving was described as “reliable, dependable, and a very dedicated employee, who is always smiling and always happy” by Strong. She is very committed to her church, where she teaches Sunday School, serves as the president of missions, and is on the usher board.

“As I look at this award, I think of all my time at this school,” Loving said. She went on to talk about the banquet in her honor for working 20 years at SPC, then the banquet and pin she got for 25 years, and how she was written about in a book after working for 33 years.

“This is a great honor, to get a plaque on the same day we honor such a great man,” Loving said.

After the presentation of the award, candles were lit and held up in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. as Byron McBride sang “Raise Your Voices.”

A reception was held following the conclusion of the ceremon