CENTRAL KITSAP – Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 22nd annual Kitsap County MLK celebration Jan. 18.

Norman Rice, who is the only African American mayor of Seattle, was keynote speaker. Rice was mayor two terms from 1989-1997.

“What’s the most persistent and urgent question?,” Rice asked. “What are we doing for others?” The key, he said, was to pull up others in need, “into the light.”

“All of us has that responsibility to do that. And if we don’t do that we are failing not only King but ourselves.”

“(King) said there is no easy way to create a world where man and woman can live together where each has his own job and house and where all children receive as much education as their minds can absorb. But if such a world is created in our lifetime it will be done in the United States by black folks and white folks of good will. It will be accomplished by persons who have the courage to put an end to suffering on others. It will be done by rejecting the racism, materialism and violence that has characterized western civilization. And especially by working toward a world of brotherhood, cooperation and peace.”

Rice said it was difficult to serve as an elected official in the world today “because common sense and reason is not always what everybody wants. We want righteous indignation. Sometimes indignation is important but it’s not always right.”

Instead of waiting for a charismatic leader to show the way, Rice said, it was up to each person to take steps forward.

“Each one of you needs to define that thing you can do well for others … the journey starts with one step. Today is your step for that march, for that degree, for that … opportunity that makes a difference.”

Olympic College student Shannon Turner also spoke at the event. He plans on finishing his associates degree in the summer, and will then work on his bachelors. His message: That education was the key to “completing” MLK’s dream.

Turner recalled a visit to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

“It empowered me. It made me realize that as a proud black man and a father that it was up to me to complete my dream so that I could show my children and my community that quitting is not an option.”

“As Americans, education is one of our keys to reach that goal of completion. It gives us that power to go out and change the world. It makes others recognize that as Americans we will continue to strive and make this a better nation.”

“By educating ourselves we give ourselves the power to go out and move mountains, to become CEOs, professors, senators and even president of the United States. Education is knowledge. Knowledge is power.”

The MLK Community Choir sings during the event.

Ah-Nika-Leesh Chiquiti, Talon Capoeman Williams and Joseph Holmes, from left, perform a Native American song and dance. Chiquiti is Jr. Miss Chief Seattle Days.