Recently there was a memorial service held at True Love Baptist Church to dedicate a portion of Dr. Martin L. King Road (MLK) to honor the late Rev. Dan Alexander.

It is my understanding the road’s name (MLK) will remain the same. Only the area between Broadmoor Drive and Steam Plant Road will reflect “The Rev. Dan Alexander Memorial Highway.”

Frustrated by my ambiguous knowledge, I must say I am in awe regarding this matter. Can someone please explain to me the reason for this change?

Now, before I go any further, I want everyone to be cognizant that there is no vindictiveness on my part toward the Rev. Alexander and his family. However, to take something from Dr. King and give it to him is disturbing to say the least.

It was because of Dr. Martin L. King’s sacrifices for justice, many throughout this country thought it to be only fitting and fair to name something in memory of him.

To use any section of this road to memorialize someone else is heartbreaking.

Many of you may remember the problems we encountered when we attempted to change then Pine Street to MLK Road. Phillip West, Boo Campbell and others fought vigorously to get this done. There was much opposition from the status quo.

Again, it is not my desire to discredit or dishonor the Rev. Alexander’s name in any way. Neither is it my wish to shame those people who made this change possible.

However, I will tell you that you have allowed yourselves to be hoodwinked. Think about this for a second: If you are digging a grave and, while digging, you find someone else’s remains, would you continue to dig or would you find another location?

Where does it end? Should we make the area in front of Zion Flower Baptist Church the Rev. Wilson Ford Memorial Highway? What’s the point in taking something that has been memorialized to someone already and memorializing it to another individual?

I want to believe those involved thought it to be a great idea at the time. While the intent may have been admirable, I cannot see the logic. There is a quote from a man named Henri-Frederic Amiel, which states, “An error is the more dangerous the more truth it contains.”

I say “there is a hinder behind the agenda.” God bless everyone.

 

The Rev. Samuel Malone

Natchez