Monday January 21, 2008

In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, twenty children gathered in the gallery at the Westport Historical Society to listen to the experiences of Westport's renowned illustrator and author, Tracy Sugarman.  Accompanied by his wife Gloria, Tracy talked about his meeting with Dr. King and told his attentive audience of 5 to 10 year old children the important messages that Dr. King conveyed and their relevance to today's  world.  He stressed the importance of racial tolerance and understanding and emphasized that although people have many differences, these difference should not prevent them from living and working together in an amicable relationship. Tracy concluded his presentation by gathering the children together into one circle and teaching them to sing "We Shall Overcome", the inspiring song that came out of the Civil Rights Movement.

Tracy Sugarman's rich and varied career includes his work as an artist, author, reporter, soldier and political activist.  This presentation gave the children an unusual opportunity to learn about the Civil Rights Movement and understand the importance of freedom for all people.  Sugarman presented each of the young participants with a copy of a drawing he had made of Dr. King as a memento of this unique experience.

Click on a picture to enlarge it.