Eric Braeden’s Visit to Harrison for MLK Celebration

"We need to have it in our heart to follow the example of Martin Luther King, who against all odds asked people for forgiveness and universal love.” - Eric Braeden

“The Young and The Restless” soap opera star, Eric Braeden, was in Harrison on Friday morning with the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission to celebrate the MLK holiday.

He spoke at Harrison High School to students and community members about what Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech meant to him in 1963. He talked about his experience in Nazi Germany, where he was born, and his trip to the U.S. as a teenager.

After his speech Braeden posed for photos with hundreds of students and other audience members.

He said, “We are all in this huge planet together. God created us all and Jesus Christ as far as I’m concerned was about forgiveness, inclusiveness, and embracing all living things on this magnificent planet…the differences between all of us are artificial I think, and we need to have it in our heart to follow the example of Martin Luther King, who against all odds asked people for forgiveness and universal love.”

DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, said that he met Braeden about nine years ago and Braeden, “fell in love with what we are doing.” He said Braeden has toured the state with the foundation five times now and refers to Arkansas as his second home. Scarbrough expressed his appreciation for the reception Harrison gave Braeden and said that they would love to bring him back again.

Harrison Schools Superintendent Dr. Stewart Pratt said about Braeden’s speech, “I think it relates to some of our kids and the choices that they make and some of the decisions that they look around at of the opinions of others, and we have to analyze them very closely to make sure we’re not hurting those around us.”

High School Principal Jay Parker said, “I saw a lot of excitement, the kids were really excited to try to break down the barrier’s that Harrison holds and has held for decades now. So, we were just super thrilled and excited to be chosen, this site, to have this Martin Luther King birthday bash to help carry on his legacy of living that dream.”

Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson spoke to the crowd and discussed the perception of Harrison and challenged the students to not be ashamed of Harrison when they leave for college but instead, “speak up, be proud of Harrison, let them know that we are not a racist community.”

He also referenced the video that surfaced in 2019 showing people going in and out of the Harrison Wal-Mart parking lot yelling racists statements.  He said that of the 24 people shouting hurtful things only three could be identified as from Harrison.

Layne Ragsdale with the Community Task Force on Race Relations said, “I think it was also good to hear Eric Braeden, who is somebody that has lived all over the world and been all over the world, come to our community and share with our students his experience.”

The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation will be at Catholic High School in Little Rock on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM doing health screenings and distributing 10,000 pounds of food to the community. It’s called a “Day of Impact.” Scarbrough says it’s a day on, not a day off.

Hear how Eric Braeden summarized his speech at Harrison High School: 

When asked if he has any plans to retire after 40 years on "The Young and The Restless" Braeden responded...