On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. A sadness comes over me as I think about the hatred that took one our greatest leaders, visionaries, and fighters for racial equality. Martin Luther King had gone to Memphis, TN to support striking African American sanitation workers. Workers were protesting significant differences in employment compared to white workers, including being paid lower wages than whites, death of African Americans due to unsafe working conditions, and lack of pay if African Americans stayed at home during bad weather, such as snowstorms.
Dr. Martin Luther King's traveled to Memphis via airplane, however his plane was delayed the day that he traveled to Memphis due to a bomb threat. He endured many threats, and yet he kept his vision and stayed his course. He went on to deliver his speech "I've Been To The Mountaintop". In his speech he stated that "we've got some difficult days ahead", but also stated that "I just want to do God's will"... And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I''m so happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
He was later killed when he stepped on the balcony of his hotel, room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. James Earl Ray was reportedly seen fleeing a rooming house across the street from the Lorraine Motel. James Earl Ray later indicated that he was set up for the murder, and that Dr. King's assassination was a set up with more people involved. Riots took place across multiple cities in the U.S. I know this well because the area that I grew up in, in Chicago was also hit by the riots. My parents told me that it was once filled with businesses, however people were angry and it became an area that was barren.
Last year, my family traveled to Memphis, TN to tour the Civil Rights Museum. I saw the room that he stayed in, the cars parked outside of the museum, all of the segregation that African Americans went through, including pictures and actual items that showed unequal education, colored and white water fountains, the bus that was burned carrying freedom fighters, and the counters that didn't allow African Americans to sit there. It was a very emotionally overwhelming moment for me. It was sad thinking that this visionary, educated, peaceful civil rights leader was taken to soon. I felt grateful for all that he had done in his 39 years. He influenced a nation, sparked unity, and a fearlessness to fight for equality for African Americans.
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| My family and I standing in front of the Lorraine Hotel |
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| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s bedroom at the Lorraine Motel |
Today many commemorate his death, but I truly celebrate his life. Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for everything!
*Here are a few more facts about Dr. King: Not only was he a leader of the civil rights movement from the mid 1950's until his assassination in 1968, he was also a Baptist minister, a nobel prize winner, husband, and father of four. His educational studies included obtaining his degree in sociology from Morehouse college, graduating valedictorian from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, and studying at Boston University and going on to earn his Ph.D at 25 years of age.*
See Previous Post about this road trip below:
Road Trip To Memphis, TN
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