On Sunday, April 20 I saw a presentation called Skin Deep: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. It was presented at Trinity United Church to honour the 40th anniversary of the death of King.

It was a powerful, affecting and haunting reminder of the non-violent struggles to overcome prejudice and racism that continue to affect us even today, in Huntsville.

The local cast was great and was highlighted by Brian Smith, who strongly portrayed the part of King.

While the story represents the efforts for freedom and emancipation for African Americans there is a profound connection, to today when racism and intolerance against many other groups persists and demeans us all.

The message that the play gave me was that when one person is condemned through intolerance, ignorance or unexamined unreflective beliefs then we all have a burden to bear.

Thank you to Marion and John McTavish for writing and staging and for the actors Brian Smith, Alison Bailey, Shelley Welch, Martha Lapp, Doug Vandenbroek, Jennifer Simpson, Winston Watson and Peter Gelderbloem.

This play deserves to be seen again and again.

Robin Mautner,
Huntsville