Local News: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrated in Bryan

Sphere: Related Content On MLK Holiday, Bryan Community Looks to the Past and the Future
By Maggie Kiely

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Linda Asberry is the principal of an elementary school on a street where she said Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is carried out each day.

The street -- which is less than 3 miles long and crosses over two main roads in Bryan, Texas Avenue and Texas 21 -- is like those in many neighborhoods across town, regardless of whether it's considered impoverished or wealthy.

One of its unique features, though, is that the street bears King's name.

The school overseen by Asberry, Neal Elementary, is not alone in being home to those dreams verbalized by the slain civil rights leader whose famous speech called for an end to discrimination and equality for all, regardless of color.

Today -- 46 years later -- that dream still lives in the hearts of business owners and the souls of those residing and attending church along Martin Luther King Jr. Street. It's in the eyes of parents watching their children at nearby playgrounds and the hands of those who built the Brazos Valley African-American Museum several blocks away.

Even so, some who live in this area say there's little evidence of King's aspirations taking root in the northern neighborhood; they blame crime and pockets of blight as the culprits.

Originally referred to as "Freedmanstown," the north side of the city became the cultural center for newly freed slaves who chose to settle in the area in the late 1800s. Back then, the road that later would become known as Martin Luther King Jr. Street was a main thoroughfare for the community where local businesses thrived.

Today, members of the community -- blacks, Hispanics and whites alike -- said they believe King would be proud of what has been accomplished since his death.

About three months ago, Otis Johnson relocated his barber shop business to MLK Street after being open for business on N. Bryan Avenue since 1958.

He said business has been good since the move, but that doesn't mean he isn't missing his original shop.

"I know everything has to change," he said.

Johnson said he can remember what it was like when segregation still was fastened to the Brazos Valley.

"My mom told me not to worry, that everything was going to get better," he said. "I didn't know what to think, but sure enough, it did."

Before the civil rights movement, white people wouldn't stop in Johnson's Barber Shop, he said.

"We always accepted them, but they didn't accept us," he said, noting people of all races visit him now. "We've come a long way, but we still have a long way to go."

Faye Ola Jones, 56, has lived near MLK Street her entire life and speaks fondly of her memories in the years following the civil rights movement.

She can remember her brothers and older members of her generation pushing hard for equal rights, she said. During that time, Jones said, she remembers neighbors banding together and improving the community.

"People stuck together, people looked out for each others' children. Children were more disciplined," she said. "The community was close knit. We're still like that to a degree, but things have changed a lot.

"When crack came on the scene in the '80s and '90s, the neighborhood lost that closeness," Jones said. "I think so many of us as parents have lost our place. Drugs took over parental guidance."

Asberry -- Neal's principal who is a 1966 graduate of Kemp High School, which then was an all African-American school -- said she agreed with Jones to an extent.

"Drugs really make us all stop and think," she said. "I think there are pockets where that community closeness still exists, but we are more cautious and careful."

Still, Asberry said, she believes MLK would be impressed by the accomplishments that have been made.

"We still have needs, but we've made major strides and improvements," she said. "I think he would be proud of the schools, of the educational focus and the investment of citizens in the community."

LaVerne Hawkins, a member of the Brazos Valley African-American Museum board of directors, said she believes many have lost sight of what's been gained through efforts on the part of MLK and other activists.

"Today's youth don't even know or realize the struggles," she said. "I think a lot of it has been forgotten and not passed on like it should be."

Keeping MLK's dream alive has to be a priority for all members of the community, Hawkins said, including parents and teachers.

"It's still important for us as a people and a generation to pass on these achievements," she said. "The youth needs to know where they came from before they can know where they're going."

Published on Monday, January 18, 2010