Monday, January 15th 2007
MLK
;)
We were in Memphis on Friday, home to Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum. It was Scott’s idea to tour the city and the museum. I had no idea that it was centered on the Lorraine Motel, the place where the Reverend Martin Luther King had his last day. I was looking forward to seeing the museum, but I must admit I was not overly excited.
;)
I am so glad we did. I cannot put in to words the feelings that went through me as I walked through the museum. I was transported back to a time where, to say the least, we were not on our best behavior. There was so much hate and so many terrible things being done that it brought several rounds of tears to my eyes. It seems impossible to fathom that these things happened so recently and that our government really thought that these laws and rules were humane, logical and most importantly, Constitutional.
Whenever I think about courage from now on I will think of the people who stood up to a force that so badly wanted nothing more than to see them gone. When I think about determination, I will think of all the years it took Rev. Martin Luther King and his followers to fight for the things we take for granted today. And when I think of hope, it will be their fights, falls and fears that I remember. Most importantly, we all have to remember that the fight isn’t over.
One image that stuck with me through the years is a photo of a racist demonstration from the 60s, with one guy holding a sign that reads “Civil Rights? They want SPECIAL RIGHTS!”
Although some today resent the comparison, it’s hard not to draw a parallel.