Recapturing The Dream Of Dr King

By Larissa Lytwyn

Nearly 40 years after his untimely death, the journey to realize Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream continues, most recently at Sandy Hook School.

Professional storyteller Valerie Tutson and Rochel Coleman, founder of Azilee’s Porch Productions, performed Martin Luther King: Amazing Grace, on February 2, part of the school’s ongoing Cultural Arts series.

“We felt it was especially important to have this program happen at Sandy Hook School, which is less [racially] diverse than other areas,” explained Cultural Arts Chair Laura Fiorey.

The production, written and produced by Mr Coleman, also underscores the significance of Black History Month, she said.

Martin Luther King: Amazing Grace traces the Reverend King’s life from his bigotry-ridden childhood in Atlanta to his assassination in 1968.

One day, after “young ML” is rebuked from joining his two white playmates because the three have reached school age, he questions his mother, schoolteacher, why.

Ms Tutson, as ML’s mother, speaks plainly: “Because you are colored and they are white.”

Ms Tutson embodies the pluckiness Ms King no doubt gave her son; one scene portrays her singing a protest song in the face of Klansmen threatening to burn down their school building because she teaches students how the US Constitution states, “all men are created equal.”

Mr Coleman segued into the role of narrator, telling the audience how young Martin Luther King, Jr, became an avid reader, graduating from high school at age 15. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Morehouse College, a distinguished “Negro” institution, and later received a divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania.

He also pursued graduate studies at Boston University and returned to his Georgian roots to serve as pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church — the same church his father had presided over from 1914 until 1960.

Next, audience members had the opportunity to meet Civil Rights movement luminaries including Rosa Parks.

As Ms Parks, Ms Tutson donned a thick shawl and soft Southern accent.

Students chuckled as she talked about meeting Dr King for the first time.

“He was handsome!” she cried. “And he could speak well, too!”

Ms Parks, now well into her 80s, sparked the Civil Rights movement in 1955 when she refused to give her bus seat to a white man — a move that led to the Montgomery, Ala., Bus Boycott.

Bringing the bus company to the cusp of bankruptcy after a 381-day boycott, the Civil Rights activists finally persevered — and the fight for integration began to gain momentum.

“I think it is so important that we have this program,” said Sandy Hook School art teacher Leslie Gunn. “The performers are immensely talented and the students, as you can see, are just riveted!”

Ms Tutson received a master of fine arts degree in theater from Brown University in 1987, designing her own concentration, “Storytelling as a Communications Art.”

For more information on Valerie Tutson, visit www.blackstorytellers.com/Valerie_Tutson.htm.

For more information about Martin Luther King, Jr, visit www.thekingcenter.org.