(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

One of the reasons I have attended Martin Luther King Day celebrations in Somerville is to see the many levels of achievement in the presentations: young musicians mastering instruments and scores in his honor, essayists reading their thoughts bout the significance of his life and a community of adults not only ensuring overall coherence but also contributing their historical sense of MLK’’s impact. Embedded in the day’s events was the sense that all could succeed.

This year, essential advance planning was missing. Those involved surmounted the difficulties with aplomb. But the amount of off-topic and disrespectful content — at best demonstrating lack of awareness of what the day’s celebrations are about — gave the impression that avoidable failure was allowed.

Anne Ryan