MLK Day celebrated at Center

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“Okay, one, two, three, dream!” said the photographer as he snapped a shot of the children lined up at the head of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center on Jan. 16.

This was the kickoff to the center’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day dessert reception, which featured karate and dance demonstrations, as well as children reading quotations and poetry from prominent African Americans.

State Senator Todd Kaminsky spoke at the event, which roughly three-dozen community members attended.

“We think sometimes, America only goes in one direction,” the senator said. “Progress, progress, progress and more rights and more hope. But we’re learning that that’s not necessarily true.” He spoke of recent bias incidents popping up on Long Island and implored everyone to live the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. “Diversity is our greatest strength,” he finished.

At the midpoint of the celebration, three green belts gave a short karate demonstration and showed off a handful of self-defense moves they had learned while training at the center.

Kyla Hover, 8, recited a quote from Michelle Obama. Her mother, Tameka Hover, was working that day and wasn’t originally scheduled to see her read, but she was able to make it at the last minute.

Kyla said she was sad at the prospect that her mother wouldn’t be able to see her, but when Tameka arrived, she became nervous instead. “Sometimes she records me,” she said revealing the source of her anxiety.

She admired the first lady. “I like her fashion choices,” she said and then thought for a while about what else she liked about her. “Oh, and she’s smart!”