‘We still have dreams’

Linked hand in hand, dozens gathered Monday morning to take part in what is a highlight of Abbeville’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the annual “Stump Service.”
The day-long celebration around Abbeville included a parade and events at Herod Village and Vision of Hope.
However, visitors began the day as they gathered near the corner of Green Street and I.J. Joiner Street for the annual “Stump Service.”
Ronald Darby, a Vermilion Parish Police Juror and one of the event’s organizers, remarked on the turnout.
“It’s a great day,” he said. “Each church is represented in some kind of way. There are a lot of organizations here.
“I thank all who are here.”
Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from
E.I. Sullivan, the pastor of Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Abbeville.
“I am privileged to stand in the shadow of this community stump tradition,” Sullivan said, “to talk about a great American.”
Sullivan stressed that Dr. King left a legacy.
“His legacy was embroidered in a dream,” Sullivan said. “It was a dream deep rooted in the American Dream. The preface of that dream was that he believed that one day this nation would rise up and live out that dream.
“All men are created equal.”
Sullivan said for those who have benefited from the dream, the dream may not seem like much.
“Because they are living the dream,” he said. “The dream Dr. King had for them is now reality.
“What an awesome dream land that we live in.”
Sullivan explained that he dream has not become a reality by slight of hand.
“This dream came because of dedication and commitment,” Sullivan said. “People have committed themselves.”
Sullivan stressed to that commitment should continue, that dreams should still be had.
“In the 21st century, we still have dreams,” Sullivan said as he turned to look at a group of children. “There are those dreams standing next to me.”
The pastor said because of Dr. King, those children have the opportunity to be judged by one metric.
“They are looked on by the content of their character,” he said.
For this to continue and grow, worldly things cannot getting the way, he said.
“We cannot become complacent in the false god of our technology,” Sullivan said. “If we become complacent, we are going to stop dreaming.”
Some don’t see the dream.
“What about those living right not in Abbeville who don’t see it?” Sullivan asked. “What about those struggling with the nightmare of addiction? Those living in poverty, some who feel left out. Homeless who are starving, mothers who have a procession from the funeral home to graveyard. They may not see the dream. Answers to these questions to no lie in the human mind.
“We have to look to a higher power, one that Jesus told of.”
Sullivan left the attendees with a message.
“Just as they were sent back from the Washington Mall,” Sullivan said of those who attended Dr. King’s famous speech, “I send you back across Vermilion Parish today with the same hope.”