The right to dream

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Coulter | 160113-N-JY507-035 Keyport, Wash. (Jan. 11, 2016) – Bob Williams, an actor of Living Voices from Seattle, interfaces with slides and a recorded narration during a ceremony in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Naval Undersea Museum. It is the 23rd year the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport’s Black Employment Program has hosted the event, which included a performance based off of a student’s coming of age during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Seth Coulter/Released)  

KEYPORT, WA, UNITED STATES

01.13.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Coulter  

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

KEYPORT, Wash. – Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Keyport held a performance by the Living Voices touring company, who performed “The Right to Dream” in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Naval Undersea Museum.

It is the 23rd year the NUWC’s Black Employment Program has hosted the event, which was based off of a student’s coming of age during the civil rights movement in the 1960’s.

“Dr. King’s work did not end with his death, his legacy gives others the courage and confidence to leave their mark on society,” said Capt. Francis Spencer, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport commanding officer.

The presentation was acted out by Bob Williams, a member of Living Voices since 1997 from Seattle, who has played in multiple rolls involving the viewpoints of ordinary people living in extraordinary times.

“Many WWII African-American veterans had a heavy involvement with the Civil Rights Movement,” said Williams. “After fighting the racism of Hitler in Europe and coming home to a segregated country was very disheartening.”

The ceremony focused on what Martin Luther King, Jr. was trying to instill in a fragile nation more than the man himself—a sense of community—a collective that worked together to form a better place.

“We can all contribute to make our community a better place, there are many avenues in which to bring assistance to those who need it the most,” said Spencer.

Although Jan. 20 is a federal holiday, in 1994 Congress declared it a national day of service calling it a “Day On, Not a Day Off.” King believed acts of service to the local community were a great equalizer for many Americans, so we as a nation, are asked to use that day in commemoration of his beliefs. To help build the community, and society, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hoped one day would flourish.

“The Navy conducts activities in observance of ten specified diversity-related groups, events or individuals,” according to Navy Personnel Command. “Themes are promulgated by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.”

For more information about diversity in the Navy, visit: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/diversity/Pages/DiversityObservances.aspx.

• Date Taken: 01.13.2016
• Date Posted: 01.14.2016 14:14
• Story ID: 186303
• Location: KEYPORT, WA, US