BY CAROL VAUGHN, Eastern Shore Post
The Accomack chapter of the NAACP held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Monday at Living Word Church of Deliverance near Parksley.
Camesha Handy, chapter vice president, opened the event, noting the Accomack NAACP is undertaking several initiatives to become more active in the community.
The memorial celebration for Dr. King included music, reading of scripture, prayer, a praise dance, recitation of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by 11-year-old Monica Watkins, and a message given by Bishop David Sabatino of Foundation of Faith Worship Center.
Sabatino is an educator who currently serves as president of the chapter and who also recently became assistant principal at Arcadia High School.
Bishop spoke about the Bible verse, Matthew 16:19, in which Jesus tells the Apostle Peter he will be given “the keys to kingdom.”
Sabatino spoke about “the power of the keys,” noting keys give the holder access — the ability to enter and exit a place.
“Keys represent authority,” he said, urging congregation members to use the power they have been given, including by taking advantage of opportunities to become educated, to vote, to attend and participate in school board and board of supervisors meetings, to diversify the workforce by applying for jobs in law enforcement and education, and to run for elected office.
“Dr. Martin Luther King marched, went to jail, was beaten, and was assassinated to give us the keys,” Sabatino said of the Black community’s gains in civil rights.
“Praise God you’ve got the keys now,” he said, adding, “…You need to use your keys.”
In a statement of purpose during the event, Shenay Wharton said, “The fight for justice must be ongoing. Silence is acceptance and we need to take this day to reflect on the work that Dr. King started and take responsibility for the work we all still have left to do.”
