Creating Legacy by Example

Five months before the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, supporters in Little Rock made the case for the slain civil rights icon to have exclusive rights to that January date which ironically is also the birthday of Confederate leader Robert E. Lee.

“We want to uplift Dr. King’s legacy in Arkansas. We want it celebrated exclusively,” said Rev. Arthur Hunt. Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi are the three states where the two men are remembered on the same day.

Hunt and a number of ministers and leaders in gathered Sunday at the state Capitol to honor Dr. King. They chose August 28th because it marked the anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” delivered during the historic 1963 March on Washington. Hunt called the “March on Arkansas” an effort to uplift legacy.

“Understanding the value of one’s legacy is at a low level, and we started by honoring a leader known to most everyone,” Hunt explained. “All families and people are important whether you have a notable name or a name that is not popular.”

Governor Asa Hutchinson supports Hunt’s proposal to separate the birthday celebration of Dr. King and Robert E. Lee. Hunt says the Republican governor is joining the statewide creation of “legacy cities”.

Several cities have committed to the plan. The mayors of Little Rock and Pine Bluff have recognized their cities as legacy cities. Hunt hopes to enlist 12 municipalities or communities.

“It’s kinda lofty, but we will make it. When we honor the legacy of individuals and families, we won’t kill each other and disregard each other so easily,” the veteran minister says.

To promote the initiative, gospel music legend Bishop Marvin Winans will visit Arkansas this week. Winans will appear at Hunt Memorial Cathedral Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. for a reception and service. To watch the service, visit www.keepersofthefaith.today.

Hunt describes Winans as a “true example of legacy in ministry and the gospel music industry. He and his family live a legacy and have sustained one.” The Winans family is famous in gospel music circles for its Grammy and Stellar award-winning siblings. The Winans Brothers along with BeBe and CeCe Winans have produced a catalog of beloved gospel hits.

Critics may disagree with Hunt’s optimistic approach to solving social ills, but the preacher from the Delta crafted his own legacy one hopeful initiative at a time. And, there are some who consider Hunt’s tireless example a template worth trying. It certainly worked for the civil rights leader whose legacy he has dedicated years to preserving.