Frank Harris III said, "We know about King’s achievements, about the boycotts, about how he lived, and how he had a dream about Americans rising up.

"I want to commemorate the dream and focus on the urgent issue affecting us today -- the crisis facing America through black men and black boys."

"I’m talking about those who are one foot out of the womb to one foot in the grave," Harris said. "I think the best definition to use for crisis in this situation is what we need to do -- use prompt or decisive action recognizing there are things we can do to change things around."

Harris recited a litany of statistics on black males dealing with education, employment, crime and health. "Black boys rank lowest in grades, and fewer black men are going to college; six out of 10 black men have jobs. Roughly half of those who die of AIDS are black men."

He said everyone should care about the crisis regardless of race. "Why should you care, you ask?" Harris asked. "It’s everyone’s responsibility. What happens to black boys, black men, is everybody’s responsibility. Despite us having marches, we still have people shooting each other up."

Offering a solution, Harris said, "I believe we need to have a campaign to promote academic achievement in which they are working in reading and writing," Harris said. "I don’t believe it’s impossible if we all work together.

"Children, put down the gameboys, and read a book; parents make sure they do it, and teachers, set high standards," said Harris, head of the journalism department at Southern Connecticut State University.

"What I’m proposing that we hold on to our black boys and black men to ensure a better future. I think it’s something Martin Luther King would shout about from every mountain top."

Harris’ speech was part of the annual citywide Martin Luther King Jr. Annual birthday celebration at Central Connecticut University. Several state officials also attended, including state treasurer Denise Nappier, state comptroller Nancy Wyman state Sen. Donald DeFronzo.

Ron Davis, the president of the New Britain Chapter of the NAACP, said, "If I’m standing here today with all of the politicians, things have changed."

"But, we still have a lot more to do. We need to rise up and teach our youth and eliminate discrimination in our country. We are going to make New Britain a place where all races, all creeds; everyone is living together in peace and harmony."



Franchone Fraser-Ben Reuben Bey can be reached at ffraser@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 221.