After a year scarred by a number of police-involved deaths that has escalated tensions between police and black communities across America, McComb NAACP officials marked Martin Luther King Day with a panel discussion focusing on criminal justice.
Taking part in the event were Magnolia Police Chief Ray Reynolds, Summit Police Chief James Isaac, Pike County Sheriff Kenny Cotton, Magnolia Mayor Anthony Witherspoon, Copiah County District Attorney Alexander Martin and Rep. John Hines Sr., D-Jackson,
The biggest emphasis was put on working around cultural differences in the black and white communities as a means of conflict resolution.
Isaac said conflict and aggression can be avoided just by understanding how other groups operate.
“I can just walk up to Ray Ray, let’s say, in front of his crew and demand he pull his pants up,” Isaac said. “But I can respectfully take him to the side and explain the situation. I can tell him the origin of the pants hanging off the butt — that usually gets them — but I ask him to pull up his pants.
“I usually get a positive response when I respect the people that I am talking to. I am never afraid to walk around Community Parks in this uniform because I know how to talk to people, how to respect people,” Isaac said.
Isaac, Reynolds and Cotton said they are all committed to training officers to get out of their cars and walk the neighborhoods as a means of developing relationships in the community.
“This is not just a black-and-white thing,” Cotton said. “This is about treating people right.”
“I’ve always believed in interacting with the public,” Reynolds said. “I have an open-door policy. My folks already know that. I know that I must be available because I am accountable.”
Other topics of discussion focused on prison sentences and re-entry programs, with supporters saying such programs should be promoted by churches and volunteer organizations.
Hines, who is part of a youth crime prevention program and a re-entry program for convicted felons trying to get back into the workforce, said people coming out of prison deserve a chance to start over.
“They have served their time and paid that price, and how can I say that I am a Christian if I don’t allow that man or woman another chance to start over, to move forward and not make those same mistakes again?” he said.
Other highlights of the event included remembrances of key figures who died in the past year.
The Rev. Quordiniah Lockley lit a ceremonial candle in honor of those who died.
“We stand on the shoulders of so many brothers and sisters who were in the struggle. Every year we like to remember them,” Lockney said. “We talk about the ’60s and they are very important, but we are still not there, so we look at those who passed away this year that fought against the indignities that still exist in the world today. We light this candle for those who passed in the year 2015.”
Lockley asked audience members to stand and state a name of a person who was part of the struggle. The names called included notable people from both Pike County and beyond — L.B. Butler Sr., Carl E. Anderson, Ben Hill, James Jones, Leroy McCray, Harry J. Bouie, Marion Barry and the Rev. Cleveland Quinn.
A proclamation in honor of the late Catherine Tobias Talbert was given to her family. Reading from the proclamation, Lockley said “she never settled for the idea of second-class citizenship. She was an active member of the NAACP and was always there for anyone in need,” he added.
The Rev. Tasha Dillon was the mistress of ceremonies, the Fellowship Gospel Choir and soloist Minister Sandra Smith provided spiritual music, and the great-granddaughters of McComb civil rights pioneer the late C.C. Bryant’s performed a praise dance to the audience of about 120.
“When I was asked to speak at this year’s event, I told my mother, you know, I don’t have to recite or read anything. It’s all in my heart,” said Cynthia Bryant, C.C. Bryant’s granddaughter and the mother of the praise dancers, Cydni and Cyiana Wynn.
Bryant noted that her grandfather and King both had the same birthday, Jan. 15.
“I also chose that date as my wedding date because it means so much to me,” she said. “He walked me down the aisle. And, yes, he is still alive in me and in my children.”
