By Shavonne Potts
Salisbury Post
What kind of extremist will you be?
Forty-four years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. posed this question to a group of Alabama ministers, and on Sunday, a judge asked the same question of people in Salisbury.
Associate N.C. Supreme Court Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson, the first African America woman to sit on the state’s highest court, asked that question of those gathered for the 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Humanitarian Awards Day.
Timmons-Goodson was the guest speaker at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
She referenced King’s letter, in which he replied to a group of white clergymen who acknowledged at the time that America was guilty of some social injustices. But the ministers felt King’s movement against racial segregation was “untimely.”
But King responded by asking if they were willing to be extremists on behalf of education, community service and achievement.
Timmons-Goodson asked those gathered for the service to examine themselves and decide what type of extremist they would be.
Like King, she encouraged several types of extremism ó the first for racial reconciliation.
“It recognizes that our city, state, nation needs the talents of all ó from every race and culture,” she said.
She also says people need to be extreme in good citizenship.
“We are on the brink of a historical election. Let us go to the polls in recognition of these great men and women who made it possible for us to go to the polls,” Timmons-Goodson said.
And she also endorsed extremism in the name of social justice.
Justice Timmons-Goodson encouraged the youth to be active in their communities.
“I hope we have not lost our sense of responsibility to improve our world for the next generation,” she said.
Timmons-Goodson later said she really hoped the youth take what she said to heart.
“There’s a place for them in working hard in the community. They don’t have to wait until they get older,” she said.
Timmons-Goodson said she wants the youth to know there is something they can do to improve their communities.
“I believe this is a special community,” she said. “There really was a sweet spirit here.”
During the service, organizers presented five students with the Samuel R. Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship. The selections are based on academic achievement; extracurricular activities, including religious involvement; and citizenship. The winners are:
– Faheemah Bronson, who graduated from Salisbury High and is currently attending N.C. State University.
– Brittany Gibbs, a graduate of South Rowan High and who is currently attending Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
– Travis Wilson, a graduate of East Rowan High.
– Calvin Wylie Jr., another Salisbury High graduate who is a freshman at N.C. A&T State University.
The youngest of those who spoke Sunday were essay contest winners Zion DeBose, a student at Isenberg Elementary, and Jarvis Miller, a fifth-grader at Salisbury Academy.
The two, along with several more, were tasked to speak on the topic “Rise Up! Be a Part of the Dream.”
Zion spoke about believing in his dreams. The third-grader wrote in his essay about qualifying for a school program. He worked hard but was not able to participate. Although upset, he learned to persevere and vowed to be a part of the program the next time.
Jarvis spoke of his belief that God is equipping him to be a leader.
He suffers from cerebral palsy but “believes it’s my time to rise up,” Jarvis said. He spoke articulately about seeking treatment for his condition.
Outside of her legal career, Timmons-Goodson is passionate about speaking to youth organizations. She seeks to encourage and influence the next generation of leaders.
She was appointed to the N.C. Supreme Court in February 2006, and later that year, voters affirmed her appointment by electing her to a full eight-year term.
She is married to Dr. Ernest Goodson, they have two children, Ernest Jr. (Sonny) and Aaron.
Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.