Maryland State Senator Joanne C. Benson

Chesapeake Beach, MD – The throng that gathered at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach Monday, Jan. 19 for an early morning breakfast received a wakeup call and marching orders from an educator-turned-lawmaker. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, sponsored by the Calvert County Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women (CCCBW), the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) featured the oratory of Maryland State Senator Joanne C. Benson [D-District 24]. Before she spoke, Benson sang, leading the audience in a chorus of “Wade in the Water.”

The Roanoke, VA native, who grew up in Hagerstown, graduated from Bowie State College and began her career in education at Appeal Elementary School in Calvert County, then recalled her involvement with the Civil Rights Movement and encounters with King. “All of us know his story,” she said. “Dr. King gave his life for equality.” Benson lamented that King’s vision remains largely unfulfilled. “His dream is on a slippery slope,” she stated.

While African-Americans have made remarkable strides, Benson affirmed that a lack of priorities has stalled the progress. Specifically, she cited “a lack of parental involvement” in their children’s education. “We’ll go to a football game or a basketball game, but not to that parent conference or PTA meeting,” said Benson.

She also expressed concern about the involvement of African-American men and women in criminal activities. Benson also indicated that voter education and registration was critical to advancement. “Many of us want to forget the past and ignore the struggle,” said Benson. “We cannot wait for someone to solve our problems.”

The event sponsors presented two awards. One of the recipients, MacArthur Jones, was unable to attend. Two of his daughters accepted the award on his behalf. Jones, who is a past member of the Calvert County Board of Education, a trustee for CSM and has been active member of Patuxent United Methodist Church, was described by presenter Allen Brown as “someone we all have the utmost respect for. Many times I’ve seen him reach into his pockets to help someone.”

“He’s done so much for the people of this county and the college,” said CSM Prince Frederick Campus Dean Dr. Richard Fleming of Jones.

The other award recipient, the Rev. Robert P. Hahn of Chesapeake Church, was saluted for founding End Hunger in Calvert County (EHCC). “Robert is very much alive because he is never silent,” said Chesapeake Church Executive Pastor Ann E. Edwards. Noting that EHCC started in 2008 with 30 community partners, Edwards said the organization’s partners now number 150. In addition to providing food to the needy, through EHCC’s ancillary education programs, Edwards declared, “we’ve restored dignity” to the effort’s beneficiaries.

Hahn recalled April 1968 and the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. “I was 11 years old and living in New York,” said Hahn, who recounted how the day following King’s death, “we watched Harlem burn. My father was afraid to go to work because of the color of his skin.” In early June of that year, New York Senator Robert Kennedy was cut down by an assassin’s bullet while on the presidential campaign trail. “We couldn’t understand why good men were being shot,” he said.

In his role as a pastor and community activist in Calvert County, Hahn declared “we are moving the dial on hunger.” He eschewed the belief of some that many Americans “like being poor” because of government and charitable handouts. “Poor people work,” said Hahn. “I see it every day. We can help them.”

Other highlights of the annual breakfast included a presentation by CSM of a $1,000 scholarship, which was presented to Oluwasheyie E. Iroko II of Prince Frederick.

In addition to Senator Benson, musical selections were rendered by guest performer Ayanna Gregory, the daughter of legendary comedian Dick Gregory. Ayanna Gregory, in her own right, is an accomplished singer and dramatist.

Calvert High School student Andre Jones, who has been performing at the event since he was a small child, also sang. His repertoire included a song in tribute to award recipient MacArthur Jones.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com