Dear Editor:

It was a great blessing and joy to see the people who came out in support of the unveiling of the Robert “Bob” Hicks Historical Land marker at the former home of the late Civil Rights activist Mr. Robert “Bob” (Mrs. Valerie) Hicks. It is good for local communities to reflect back on our history, which should help us to appreciate the blessings of equality, which we have as a people.

The younger generation should be very appreciative to our forefathers, who bared the burden of doing what needed to be done so that we, as a younger population, can be entitled to the rights that we so richly embrace in our day in time. To see black and white people coming together for a great cause is something we should be proud of and cherish.

Mr. Robert “Bob” Hicks’ vision of a day in which people from all racial backgrounds can join together in love has come to be a reality, but we still have the challenges of racial segregation and hatred that we need to conquer in our communities. For those who were instrumental in the establishment of the marker for a Civil Rights Museum in Bogalusa, I say unto you that patience plus perseverance equals success. It paid off.

I encourage the Bogalusa communities to do everything humanly possible to preserve the life, legacy and loyalty of those who paved the way for us to have arrived to the point where situations and standards are much better, but let us also remember that we have a lot more work to do in our city and parish. Let the work continue.

– Gratefully yours,

Minister Keith D. Merrill