'Come together for a common cause'

Building community and uniting a nation in nonviolent ways are a couple of focal points for this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Week.

The weeklong ode to the civil rights leader runs from Monday until Jan. 19.

"(It) is important because there are many things trying to divide the community, whether that's politics, social things, different circumstances," Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Executive Director Dannelle Kirven said in a phone interview. "... Dream Week is going to give everyone an opportunity to set aside their differences and come together for a common cause, to advance the legacy of Dr. King, build community and unite our nation."

What would Dr. King say about what is happening in the world?

"He would be hard at work, trying to figure out non-violent campaigns to end (injustice) or to address (inequality)," Kirven said. "Or, I would think, he would relaunch his poor people's campaign to address the needs of the community and those who are being marginalized and oppressed. ... He would probably be working 24 hours a day trying to tackle all of the injustices and inequities that our nation is currently facing and the daily actions that are furthering us away from being united."

Several events are planned across the state, including the following in Albuquerque:

6 p.m., Jan. 16: Remembrance vigil at the African American Performing Arts Center, 310 San Pedro NE, Suite 210.

9:30 a.m., Jan. 17: Commemorative March and Program, featuring keynote speaker, State Bar of New Mexico President Aja N. Brooks. The march starts at the MLK Jr. Avenue and University Boulevard and ends at Civic Plaza.

3 p.m., Jan. 18: Service at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 608 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE.

8 a.m., Jan. 19: MLK Jr. Breakfast at the Marriot Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco NE.

1 p.m., Jan. 19: Day of Service: African American Performing Arts Center.

If people cannot attend a Dream Week event, Kirven said, people can check out a toolkit to honor King wherever they are.

A goal of Dream Week is for people to develop a "call to action," she said.

"Take what you've learned and go back to your community and see where you can make a difference, no matter how small," Kirven said. "If you're a big-scale thinker, collaborate with other community organizations or other people in your community to make a big impact."

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.