Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 16 January 2003 — Page 35

The Muncie Times "January 16, 2003 • Page 35

Poetry, Ministry and Community Service keeps MLK Dream Alive for Mays -By Charles Guluhane

Minister Judy Mays reading excerpts from her book, a poetry titled “ The Sound Of Kwaanza”

You were bom black They say you must have had such an unhappy childhood You are a ward of the state Branded. Illegitimate. Social stigma Residual of stolen souls and destroyed families They have painted the picture over all white How can one be happy without vanilla ice cream White, bright white dresses and visions of soft fluffy white clouds

As you lie on white sheets in a white house Boarded by a white picket fence (Playing peek-a-boo at night when the sheets with eyes of hatred turn your dreams into a nightmare) They do not realize that you are more than a mere statistic Much more than a stereotyped puppet

You created as they in the image of God - not a domesticated animal

The foregoing is an excerpt from one of Judy Mays' many poems titled "They". It was written in 1970 following the tumultuous 60's and the assassination of Dr. King. The poem captures the mood and deep reflections of the time. "I remember my aunt giving me a poem I had written when I was 7 years old. When I was young my mother bought me a lot of books to read. I developed a love for reading and expression and the ability to make my imagination soar. Writing has been at times a means of alleviating the frustration and pain. There is something powerful about the written word. It is a way to express not only sorrow but also love and joy," said Mays. Mays has turned her love for expression into a business venture. 'Lovelines

by Judy' produces original made to order cards and sentiments to inspire loved ones. She is the author of many articles which have appeared in publications such as Marion County Banner, Women in the Ministry and Ministry for Faith Magazine. She also writes and does book reviews for this newspaper. Other endeavors include being a co-owner of Every Good and Perfect Gift and founder of the Ebony Entrepreneur Showcase. Since 1990 Mays has been working to promote Kwaanza celebrations in the community. "1 first introduced the celebrations to a group of young kids in the children's ministry at Union Baptist Missionary Church. We have since held public celebrations at venues such as the Horizon Convention Center, Minnetrista Cultural Center, Mount Zion Fellowship Center and the Buley Center. Most of these were sponsored by the Black Expo with the help of Mrs. Bea Foster. On December 28th last year, the third day of kwaanza, which is Ujima, or collective work and responsibility, we held a celebration at Conley Library. The event was sponsored by Friends of the Conley Library," she said. At the occasion Mays read from her poetry work titled "The Sounds of Kwaanza". Mays works as a program coordinator for the Minority Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County. She is minister at Union Baptist Missionary Church -and director of its children's

ministry. She sits on the board of directors for the Buley and South Madison community Centers and the American Cancer Society. She is also involved in other committees and boards. On 20th January, Mays will attend the community activities for that day. She will man a booth at Muncie Central High School for the Minority Tobacco Free Coalition through which she will be distributing anti tobacco literature to kids. "I plan to celebrate the dream by living and teaching love and truth, and not hatred, and by accepting a person because of the content of their character, not the color of their skin," she said.

Let Us Remember And Honor Martin Luther King, Jr, January 20, 2003