JONESBORO, Ga. — The nation weaves Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy into its history, celebrating his birthday as a federal holiday in recognition of his work in racial equality and as a nonviolent changemaker. However, the civil rights mogul's message rose to prominence with a lift from others who walked in his word.
King provided a model to do the work - Rev. Eric Terrell lived it.
"Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around. Turn me around. Turn around. I ain't gonna let nobody turn me around. I'm gonna keep on a marchin’. Keep on a talkin'," Terrell sang during a sit-down interview with 11Alive journalist Neima Abdulahi.
His tune elevating a memory of a Civil Rights Era anthem, a freedom song not to be forgotten.
Terrell, now in his 70s, has a sharp memory, but he has lost count of how many protests he’s organized over the decades.
"Oh my God," he said. "More than 100."
More than 100 protests; more than 100 miles walked, he said.
Each step, a sign of his lifelong contributions to equality and fair treatment. According to a proclamation by the City of Atlanta honoring his work, his mother took him to hear MLK’s speeches, introducing the Georgia native early in his life to the movement. At just 15 years old, Terrell held his first campaign for justice at Therrell High School.
That was just the beginning.
Illuminating the message
His close friends, all foot soldiers of the movement, say he’s an unsung hero for civil rights. Each one of them see themselves as a reflection of King.
Nathan Knight, the president of the DeKalb Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said he sold MLK a newspaper, an interaction that has stuck with him through the years.
"I met Dr. King at age 11," Knight said. "He took out a quarter and gave me the quarter and told me to keep the tip. And that's when we bonded."
King co-founded The SCLC. When Knight reflects on the continuation of King’s dream, he points to his closest friend: Terrell.
"He's very passionate. He's sincere. He's dependable when it comes down to us doing things that need to be done," Knight said, describing Terrell.
The reverend had a history of sticking to what he believes in. When asked what he would do in the face of racial injustice, he didn't hesitate.
"Be ready to go to jail," Terrell said.
"Every time?" 11Alive's Neima Abdulahi asked.
"Every time," he emphasized.
Carrying the torch
Terrell was there the summer of 2020 to honor the late Congressman John Lewis. At Lewis' funeral, he encouraged the younger generation to take their pain to the polls.
He shared his message while wearing iconic blue overalls and a red shirt, a trademark look of civil rights legend Hosea Williams. The red shirt symbolizing "the blood in the streets of America," and the blue overalls "for the tears of the foot soldiers," Knight explained.
While donning the iconic uniform, Terrell said the spirit of the movement often crosses his mind.
"The day that we lost Dr. King. It was a big hurt. Like a big letdown," Terrell said, "because he was a leader. A great man that was among us."
When asked what does MLK Day mean to him, the reverend didn't miss a beat.
"Work," he said. "Continue to work."
Keeping the fire alive
Over the years, Terrell's unwavering message of justice now has a new undertone: keep the movement going. That, simply, takes work.
"I mean to work among your people, and lead them in the right way, because if we don't put our young people on the right track, they're going to lose sight," he explained.
He’s hopeful the young generation of changemakers will rise to leadership positions - not in job titles - but in action.
"Somebody's gotta take this road; take the torch - and run with it. Somebody's gotta do it and that’s what I always believe," he said. "And there's some young people (who) don't understand right now."
Terrell has spent his whole life creating a legacy and cherishes each chance to share his own story. With his legacy facing the test of time, he wants one message to remain at the forefront.
"Fight for what you want. Fight for what you believe," he said. "Be willing to stand in the ring and not turn you back."