Sen. Cardin and other leaders say King’s ‘dream’ far from complete

Arnold, Md. (Map, News) - More than 500 political leaders, students and other guests gathered in the Jenkins Gymnasium at Anne Arundel Community College Monday for the 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast to honor the slain civil rights leader and proclaim his “dream” is far from reality.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, the event’s keynote speaker, said more needs to be done to alleviate the struggles facing blacks today. Blacks make far less money than their white American counterparts. Also, 13 percent of blacks do not have the right to vote because they have been convicted of a felony, Cardin said.

“Each of us has the responsibility to do something about it. Never confuse King’s message of nonviolence with passivity,” Cardin said. “We have made progress, but still so much more needs to be done.”

And the best way to remember King is to promote scholarship programs, education and job training, Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold said.

“These are the specific tools to advance the goals espoused by Martin Luther King,” he said. “Martin Luther King stood for uplifting all people.”

Awards were given to community members who have been working to promote King’s values in today’s world.

Roger “Pip” Moyer Sr., a former mayor of Annapolis, won the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his political work. He helped the city pass major civil rights legislation in 1967 and created affordable housing and job programs for young people.

The event was organized by the 35-member Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Committee.

Monday’s event was the first of the annual banquets since the August unveiling of the state’s first memorial to Martin Luther King Jr., which is also located at the college.

lgreenback@baltimoreexaminer.com