On Martin Luther King day I went to Knowles Memorial Chapel on the Rollins Collage Campus in the evening for a candle light vigil. I found a spot on an upper level baloney with it’s wrought iron railing. I sketched the space feverishly as people filed in. “Bridge over Troubled Water” was echoing through the church organ pipes. The Keynote speaker was Fairolyn Livingston who is active in collection and preservation of the community’s history and is a founding member of the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Picture Collection Team. She was born in Hannible Square a segregated community for blacks. She is active in collection and preservation of the community’s history and is a founding member of the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Picture Collection Team. Thanks to the groundbreaking efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, she was able to attend Rollins College to earn her B.A. degree.
A moment of silence was asked for in Dr. Kings memory. The church bell tolled fifteen times. There was something eerie in the sound as it filled the night then faded. The Chapel was packed. Everyone stood to sing “The Black National Anthem.” Students got up and spoke about how Dr. Kings words changed their lives.”Hate can not conquer hate, only love can conquer hate.” Four female singers rose and sang “I Give Myself Away.” Finally everyone in the church lit their electronic candles. Perhaps the image wasn’t as moving as a raw flame, but the room was alive with light as everyone sang out, “Let there be LIGHT!” Everyone filed out of the church, cradling their candles, as I rushed to finish my light filled sketch.