There has been plenty said over the past few days, particularly on social media, about the story that published in The Vicksburg Post Thursday about there not being a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Vicksburg this year.

This marks one of the few times in a decade that there will not be a parade to honor the late civil rights leader.

Apparently, the cancellation of the parade was due to some confusion as to who would organize this year’s parade, and when that confusion was somewhat cleared up, there was not enough time to organize a parade.

While we too are disappointed at the lack of a parade this year, we believe that it is not the city of Vicksburg’s responsibility to organize a parade, but that of those who want to honor Dr. King in someway.

Far too often we want to criticize the city for one thing or another. But, in the great scheme of things, the city has just a few basic responsibilities, none of which includes a parade organization department.

The city is charged with providing protection through the police and fire departments. It is charged with providing basic utilities such as water and sewer and ensuring streets are properly maintained.

Again, organizing a parade does not fall under any of those departments.

Even the effort to organize the parade honoring Super Bowl hero and Vicksburg native Malcolm Butler was not necessarily organized by the city, but through a committee of people pulled together to help. Groups such as the Vicksburg Warren School District, Main Street, the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Vicksburg Convention Center, along with private businesses such as The Vicksburg Post, helped pull that event together.

Dr. King is a man worthy of high praise and recognition. The non-violent movement he led in the 1960s changed America for the better.  The lives of Americans from Selma, Alabama to Vicksburg, from Atlanta to Anchorage, were changed because of his vision and his mission.

If he were still alive today, there is a good chance he would blush at the thought of a parade being held in his honor, his memory. Regardless, the recognition by a thankful people is deserved.

Instead of a parade this year, let us focus on service. Let us focus on what we can do to positively impact Vicksburg and Warren County.

As school will be out and some offices closed Monday, let it serve as an opportunity to organize charitable works and community projects.

As Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

With that said, what are you going to do? Who are you going to help?

In the end, the impact we have on the life of our neighbor and the health of our community, might be the best way to honor Dr. King.