HOLYOKE — For Shannon Rudder, the theme of civil rights in the year 2025 could be summed up with a Curtis Mayfield song: “Keep on Pushing.”

“In the face of our global, national and local climate, I ask each of you here with me this morning, how are you pushing forward?” Rudder, the president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services in Springfield, asked a group of around 100 people gathered at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke on Friday. “It’s no secret that the history of our civil rights in the United States has been two steps forward, one step back.”

Rudder served as the keynote speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast, an event hosted by the nonprofit Greater Holyoke Council for Human Understanding since 1983 around the holiday commemorating the late civil rights leader.

In talking about U.S. civil rights in the present day, Rudder told those gathered that while advances in civil rights since the time of Dr. King needed to be celebrated, there was also a need to “reckon with the current realities” of the state of division and hate in America, citing the rise of restrictions in several states over the teaching of race and sexual orientation, the curtailing of reproductive rights across the country, the overturning of affirmative action programs in higher education by the Supreme Court and the reelection of Donald Trump to the presidency, although Rudder did not mention him by name.

“So many in this lifetime have persevered for these laws that are now being called into question, shaking our very foundation of our democracy and social contract,” Rudder said. “As we usher in a new administration that is loud and proud about their plans to further dismantle our collective progress, I urge each of us gathered here today to plug in, to stay vigilant.”

Rudder recalled how she originally felt “paralyzed with disbelief” following the presidential election in November, with fear for the future of her daughters and coping with feelings of devastation. She acknowledged the fatigue that can come in the fight for social justice, and encouraged the practice of “radical self-care.”

“I questioned my faith because I could feel myself beginning to catastrophize,” Rudder said of the election. “We do need to unplug and recharge, and the movement must continue. For your holistic well-being, be sure to practice that self-love, for love is the central message of Dr. King’s life work.”

Despite such feelings, Rudder said it was important to keep moving forward for civil rights, and evoked legacies of other Black civil rights leaders such as Harry Belafonte, James Baldwin and Rosa Parks as a blueprint for how to utilize one’s gifts to lead social movements in the country.

“We are an unstoppable people. We are a force for justice, a beacon of hope and a testament to the strength to our shared commitment,” Rudder said. “The road ahead will be challenging, but as the beloved community, we will rise, we will fight and we will prevail.”

Following Rudder’s speech was a gospel music performance by the Bethlehem Baptist Community Choir of Holyoke, leading into a singing of “We Shall Overcome” by all present. The Rev. Theresa Temple of the First Baptist Church of Holyoke gave the benediction that concluded the event.

Also present at the event was Council for Human Understanding President Gina Nelson, who served as mistress of ceremonies for the event, Holyoke Director of Planning & Economic Development Aaron Vega and Holyoke Mayor Josh Garcia.

In remarks given to those attending, Garcia also called for the community to answer King’s call for action with regards to civil rights and racial justice. 

“Our compassion brings forward certain quality of life challenges that often divide people; and that is why it’s important we have events like this to reflect and remind us who we are as human beings,” Garcia said. “The struggle continues. We have a way to go. But gatherings such as this morning’s event fuel the engines of progress, justice, and equality. “

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.