Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event

Last night I went to Afton, WY for a MLK day event. It was a fascinating window on the local culture. It was sponsored by a local couple who are members of the Baha'i faith. They not only organized it, they provided a free spaghetti and meatball supper. A local state policeman spoke about the need to support the police and the need for high quality recruits. No mention of places like Ferguson. There was a "wall of hate,"  -  about 12-15 photos depicting hateful actions, starting with the Oklahoma City bombing and including 911, Sandy Hook and Vegas, but no mention of Charlestown or Charlottesville. But on the other hand there were three young people - middle school/high school - who read prize-winning essays they had written, and they were great. Very progressive, especially in a town 80% Morman. And pastor Alan Schoonover gave a good talk on his experience with Dr. King at Selma. And there was a raffle of local artistic creations, and I won a coatrack emblazoned with bald eagles! I gave it to Gary and Donda, who brought me to the event and who were thrilled to get it. 

As pastor Alan said, "a good start but we have a long, long ways to go."

        A student reading her essay

           After adjournment. 

        The coat rack I won

           A poster board at the event