MLK Day Awards Recap

(Guest editorial)

On Martin Luther King Day 2015, Fargo-Moorhead saw an opportunity to bring out the best in what capped off a great year in human and social relations activism within our community. The 15th annual MLK Day Celebration and Award Ceremony highlighted organizations and individuals who deserve to be most proud of bypassing stigmas, ignorance and arrogance toward those less fortunate or inadequate to fully grasp their interpretation of the American dream.

As I entered the Fargo Theatre shortly before the event began, I bumped into the City of Fargo’s human relations committee chair Rachel Hoffman. The wide-eyed 20-something-year-old gave me an overall layout of the whereabouts and the “who’s who” of the night.

Local news personality Robin Huebner kicked off the show by welcoming the Native American Buffalo River Drum and Singers. Both of the bottom aisles and rows of the theater were filled up to the point that some late arrivals had to find seating in the upper deck sections as seven Native American men -- ages ranging from mid 20s to late 60s -- approached the stage all bearing some sort of antique-like drums. The audience, not solely comprised of the family-friendly types, applauded these Native American entertainers whose tunes brought out a sense of rhythm and audio cohesiveness that echoed the old chorus songs Dr. King and other past activists sung as they marched back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney was introduced next, and in his speech he highlighted a quote from one of Martin Luther King’s notable “I’ve Been To The Mountain Top” speeches right before the day he was assassinated.

“I even believe in this message to a ‘T’ about my own children,” Mayor Mahoney told the crowd.

As I creeped toward the theater's rotunda, Fargo Commissioner Melissa Sobolik discussed what the night meant for the communities of the F-M area as well as to the recipients of this year’s Human Relations Award.

“If there’s anything I learned about growing up here in North Dakota, it’s about having the courage to fail,” she said. “And as I stand before you, I like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes: ‘If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you cannot walk, then crawl. But whatever your ability limits you to, never give in to failure.’”

Not succumbing to failure is what stood out about 2014’s award recipient, the Growing Together Organization. Rachel pointed toward the stage and I noticed about a 125 faces of Arab, African, Asian, Hispanic and Western European descent stepping up onstage to join in on receiving the Human Relations Organization Award presented by the mayor himself. One representative from each of the various ethnic backgrounds explained how the creation and cultivation of four gardens was able to feed about 200 families throughout last year, and they noted their appreciation of local businesses and citizens for their contributions in assisting the Growing Together Organization.

But just imagine how special it felt for the youngsters and (once) refugee families to stand on the stage in front of hundreds of supporters. Watching them initially stand nervously under the bright lights, to some never recognizing fully what it meant to be praised or honored before tonight was a gratifying spectacle for me to witness. Finally, Mayor Mahoney did something I can’t envision no other elected official would pull-off in a 700-mile radius for their constituents: he used his street-crossing directing skills to usher the 125 men, women and children to safely step off the stage. I can’t even see Minneapolis’ Mayor stepping up to do that!

Once Mahoney completed that spectacle, the stage curtains flung up to introduce local musicians Treo’Soul to the audience. Lead singer Hope Shields addressed the crowd and began singing Sam Cooke’s iconic “A Change is Gonna Come.”

After an outstanding performance by Treo’Soul, vouched by the numerous standing ovations, a five minute video tribute (as well as learning lesson) to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, courtesy of the People's Press Project, was shown to the audience.

I bumped into HRC’s community leader Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, who explained his insights on what this meant to him as a Somalian.

“In my first year involved with this committee, I took heed to the notion of ‘We’re better off being together and staying together -- we all get better,’” he said. “And I’m still learning that everyday.”

It’s not often that the voice of reason derives from teenagers, but Dartmouth College sophomore Kristina Heggedal strived to put together an avenue for the youth of our area to be heard and counted for. And for that very reason, she was the recipient of this year’s Youth Award for Human Relations. Kristina spearheaded the Fargo Youth Commission back when she was a freshman in high school, and since then she’s either created or involved herself with five other programs that allow youth to have their adult counterparts take notice of the actions that affect the F-M area.

“Twenty percent of Fargo-Moorhead’s residents are 18 or younger, although it’s not what adults want to hear,” she explained. “But at times we bring a positive perspective to what’s going on under their watch.” After college, Kristina aims to return back to her roots. “I want to return to Fargo after I graduate, because this is a community willing to listen and large enough to make a difference statewide.”

After the Human Relations Adult Award was presented to Andrea Jang for her contributions as community outreach coordinator at CHARISM Neighborhood Center as well as her efforts toward the F.O.G. (Food Oil and Gas) Program, in which she volunteers her time to improve skills and awareness of kitchen essentials for families who are foreign (these skills include utilizing a sink, checking fire alarms or cooking from a stove-top oven).

At the tail-end of the night’s event, Commissioner Sobolik hurried onstage, to “hijack the podium” and announce a surprise award to a Mr. Ted Fiebiger, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award for his efforts throughout the community.

“When and where does this happen -- having all those cultures and races up on stage at once,” he said while accepting the award. “That is more surprising for me to witness that than receiving this award. It shows that we as a community have came a long way.”

As I watched Rachel wave an offering basket throughout the aisles of the theater, while Treo’Soul massaged listener's eardrums to Marvin Gaye’s hit “What’s Going On”, tonight struck a chord in my mind when thinking about the countless hate postings I recently found out about that are sprayed across Fargo’s Craigslist Rants and Raves section. It struck me deep to think there are still people out here who may have justifiable opinions about a certain ethnic or religious group or whatever, but how in the hell does hiding behind a computer talking crap online move forward in establishing a society -- let alone a community -- that enables one to learn from one another? There may never be an antidote to that problem. So until then, I look forward to hearing from Rachel and Abdiwali on how many nominees Fargo/Moorhead endorses in 2015.