What Does the 'Dream' Mean to You?

After Sunday's eighteenth annual United We Walk event on Orchard Lake Road, it would be difficult to argue that perhaps moreso than others, West Bloomfield residents have diverse opinions of what makes Martin Luther King Jr. Day special.

About 300 joined in the multiculturalism-themed celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at , which featured a performance from the Madrigal Chorale of Southfield, directed by the district's own assistant superintendent Robert Martin, as well as a speech from Silas Norman — a Freedom Rider and Bloomfield Township resident. director Dan Navarre was honored as the fourth Community Leader award recipient.

During the march on Orchard Lake Road in-between Green Road and Walnut Lake Road, which was blocked from traffic for about 30 minutes Sunday, it was interesting to see the faces of the people who marched past. Here are six of those people, including a short remark on the significance of the national holiday.

Eddy Wilson

• A 14-year-old Pontiac resident and ninth grader at the high school, Wilson performed on stage at the event and said that he learned a lot. "It was interesting to hear about human rights and that a lot of people don't really know about them."

John Holland

•  A local father, Holland, 42, said that he appreciated the diversity in the community which came to the event, adding that there is still much to learn to a stronger understanding of benefit. "I'm truly grateful that (King Jr.) is being honored. However, I'd like to see people gain an understanding of his entire message. For example, it's important to know that he was critical of the U.S. government."

Kelly Mandel

• "It's a message that I want to share with my own daughters," said Mandel, 35, of West Bloomfield, who works as a social worker in the area. Mandel was accompanied by daughters Kate Mandel, 3, and Lauren Mandel, 6. "I want them to know (King Jr.'s) message and practice it."

Lauren Klemz

• A 17-year-old West Bloomfield resident and senior at the high school, Klemz helped out at the event. "Martin Luther King Jr. Day spends for the equality in our community, especially at the high school. It's pretty special to see the community come together for that."

Cedric Dukes

• The 44-year-old father made the trip from Shelby Township to show support for those less fortunate. "This is a great way to honor MLK for the work he's done in the past, present, and future, to help out the less fortunate. He was a servant to all and his work is not done."

Ricky Lee

• Lee, a 50-year-old West Bloomfield resident, got an assist answering from eight-year-old daughter Jada Lee. "I'm relieved, because I can do a lot of things which I couldn't before," she said.