Saratoga MLK Day event reminds residents to choose community over chaos

A river flows through Saratoga carrying the memories, wisdom, faith and courage of people who shaped the city before, and it flows down to its inhabitants now, reminding them that they do not stand in this river alone.

This was the main metaphor the Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews, multi-faith leader, community organizer and author, got across in his speech on the steps of Saratoga City Hall for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. The Saratoga Ministerial Association asked Mathews to speak for its annual celebration of the famed civil rights leader. His address aimed to challenge Saratoga and the larger community to address and heal from racism.

“Dr. King named the crossroads clearly near the end of his life: Where do we go from here–chaos or community?” Mathews asked the approximately 10 attendees. “That question is not behind us; it is standing right in front of us. Every community stands in a river like this.”

Erik Swanson, a pastor at Westhope Presbyterian Church, introduced Mathews at the event and stressed the need to continue this tradition. Swanson talked about how King, who used nonviolent methods to advocate for Civil Rights, was described as an “enemy combatant” and “domestic terrorist,” mirroring the language being used by government officials against those protesting violent immigration enforcement.

“Those things are used to diminish, are used to undercut,” Swanson said. “And hopefully here in Saratoga…we can be about something better than that.” .

He acknowledged the attitudes Saratogans have held against big housing developments, recalling “gut-wrenching” comments from neighbors like, “Those people can’t come in here.”

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“Racism is real,” Swanson said. “It’s in our midst, and until we embody something different, it’s never going to change.”

Mathews’ 15-minute speech acknowledged the similarities between the Civil Rights Movement and the day. But despite the divisiveness people are experiencing, Mathews reminded the audience that people are not alone. He used the metaphor of a “transgenerational river” of memory, faith, wisdom and courage flowing from elders, teachers and other community members to residents to remind people to choose faith and community, and that they are part of something much larger than themselves.

“Every people has elders, named and unnamed, who shaped how they understand dignity, responsibility and belonging,” Mathews said, “Saratoga, you represent a place of education and influence and abundance, which also means it is a place where the choices we make can ripple outward.”

The event ended with the participants sharing what they can do to contribute to this ripple effect. Mayor Chuck Page advocated for listening with intent and compassion. Earlier in the night, he had read a quote by King saying that people fail to get along because they fear each other, and that fear comes from not knowing each other.

Councilmember Yan Zhao said she would like to see people speak out when there’s injustice. Other residents in attendance advocated for standing with community, learning from one another, reaching out to organizations and immigrant communities and challenging the “racist crap” they’ve been taught.

Carolyn Booker, a 40-year Saratoga resident, went to the event with her neighbor Bob LoPresto. She recalled being one of only about 29 Black people in the city when she moved from Cupertino. She said it was important to have this discussion because although Saratoga has an “excellent community,” that feeling can devolve if residents don’t practice being in community, helping each other, talking and listening.

LoPresto recalled that he had briefly met King as a college student. LoPresto had asked King if he was worried he would be assassinated, and  King responded that he knew that it would happen, but still resolved to continue fighting for racial justice. He also reminded people to not give up on the work they were doing to address racial inequality.

“Dr. King did not lay his religion down when it became costly. He stood in the river, the river of those who came before him, and he chose community over chaos anyway,” Mathews said. “The question before us is not whether we admire him; it is whether we are willing to practice the same courage.”