• Rubi Reyes •
• Originally published January 19, 2009 at 11:44 p.m., updated January 19, 2009 at 11:44 p.m.

Brooke Smith carried her son Cavan, 4, and held 7-year-old Brealyn's hand as they marched down Callis Street with more than 50 people in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Even though her husband, Cornell Smith, was unable to attend the march, Brooke took her biracial children so they can have a better understanding of their culture.

"My children need to know both sides of their culture," Smith said. "They need to have a true appreciation of all people."

The Smiths moved to Victoria last year and attended their first march Monday.

She wants her children to cherish and respect each side of their culture, she said.

As they marched from Martin Luther King Jr. Park to Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Smith along with the others sang "Amazing Grace" as some held posters and flags while others joined hands.

"It's ironical that today is Martin Luther King Jr. day because you know what tomorrow is," Dorothy Harris, speaker from Palestine Baptist Church, said.

She was referring to Barack Obama's inauguration as president of the United States.

"Dr. King paved the way for your tomorrow," Harris said. "Don't waste tomorrow."

She was born and raised in Bloomington and at a young age was told completing eighth grade would be the highest level of education she could achieve.

"But my mother always said, 'never say you can't. Always say you'll try,' and I did," Harris said.

Harris completed high school in Victoria and continued her education at Texas College in Tyler where she graduated.

"My father always wanted me to work at the store in McFaddin, but I never did; instead, I surpassed his dreams and became a teacher," Harris said.

The crowd rose to their feet and applauded Harris for her accomplishments.

"We are here to praise God for giving us Martin Luther King Jr., because of his deeds, we are able to live his dream," said Dorothy Williams march participant from Victoria.

Williams raised three children as a single parent and can remember the struggles she faced as a young girl growing up in the 1950s.

"I had to be bussed to F.W. Gross from Goliad because we didn't have integration," Williams said.

"The torture and brutality that blacks faced in Montgomery, Ala., were worse than what we faced here, but we, too, faced hard times," she said with tear-filled eyes.

"Martin Luther King Jr. died so we can all be one, he said he may not make it with us but one day, we may all walk hand in hand," Williams said as tears rolled down her cheek. "That day is here."

• SPEAKERS

  Rev. Jessie Battles, African Methodist Episcopal Church

  Rev. Harvey Snell, Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

  Rev. Bernice Wells, West Chapel Methodist Church

  Rev. Willie May Ford, African Methodist Episcopal Church

  Rev. Patrick Henry, baptist church in Rockport

  Rev. A.L. ...

• SHOW ALL »

SPEAKERS

Rev. Jessie Battles, African Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Harvey Snell, Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Rev. Bernice Wells, West Chapel Methodist Church

Rev. Willie May Ford, African Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Patrick Henry, baptist church in Rockport

Rev. A.L. Prince, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Rev. Rakel Hicks, preacher in Austin

Deacon Roy Buckner, Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Cynthia Shelton, New Mt. Pleasant Berean Baptist

Donald Davis, New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Dorothy Harris, Palestine Baptist Church

Dorothy Cunningham, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Summie Thomas, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Doug Mundine, speaker

Ciarra Williams, Central Church of Christ

Patrice Grimes, praise team from Port Lavaca

Hatty Marshall, Northside Baptist Church

Terry Wade, New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Joyce Snell, musician for Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Bethlehem Youth

Greater Mount Calvary Youth

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