But a theme of sorts has emerged in my serendipitous wanderings. I will
call it “From Civil War to Civil Rights… with a Musical Interlude.” [The
Musical Interlude will come later!]
Do you remember where you were on April 4th, 1968? I was an 11 year old kid watching TV, of course, when one of those old fashioned ‘breaking news alerts’ came on. “We interrupt this show to bring you the following news alert.”
It was the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He had
been shot on the balcony outside room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. I
have vague pre-teen memories of what it all meant. I was only a kid and not necessarily
up on current events. But I knew the news was not good for our country. I had youthful ‘flashback’ to President
Kennedy’s assassination, when I was in the 1st Grade in Seattle as the teacher cried
and tried to explain why school was getting out a little early that day.
But I also remember my mom, usually the most open-minded and welcoming
role model, mumbling something about “ a
trouble maker.” It surprised me at the time, seeing as her sister had married a
Panamanian man, completely dark skinned and my cousins, whom I ADORED, were
‘black’ though not technically African-American. They were my FAMILY for goodness
sake! I think it was a weak moment for
Anna. She had her own inner struggles, after all. She brought me up better than that comment
illustrates.
The images from the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee
flashed across the screen that day and in the newspapers for days to come. Two
months later, on June 6th, similar horrible images rendered America
numb when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles. It was not a good year
in America.
The iconic Lorraine Motel sign was a particular image that become
imbedded in my young psyche and has lingered with me over the years. So, on a trip through Memphis I was hoping to
at least catch a glimpse of it – if it
was even still there.
Not only is it there, but it is the site of one of the most moving,
inspirational and educational museums I have ever visited – and I visit a LOT
of museums.
At times I hear myself and others refer to ‘the civil rights movement
of the 60’s” as if everything was accomplished in one short, tumultuous decade
of American history. Well, a LOT was
accomplished 50 years ago, but the overwhelming struggle, stories, heartache,
bravery, sacrifice… the day to day, life and death, success to setback, toil
and triumph are chronicled here in Memphis in a much longer timeline and with
more thoughtful explanation than I had ever imagined. And it is situated in a place of tragic
consequence that I think should leave every visitor breathless, pensive and
prayerful. It left me as such.
A protest sign from the Memphis garbage collecters strike. King was in Memphis to address the inhumane conditions of the striking workers |
I hate to be a promoter of yet one more thing that “other people should do just because I did it.” But you should try
and get there. You owe it to your
children to not only teach them this history, but let them see it and feel it.
Wow, I sure do get preachy. Even on Sabbatical.
Reenactment display of a 'lunch counter protest' of the 1960's |
“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 happy, tonight.
I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen
the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
- “I've Been to
the Mountaintop”, April 3, 1968. He was
killed the next day. Where MLK lay daying of an assassin's bullet. The small piece of concrete has been removed where the bloodstain could not be completely cleaned up. |
Less than 48 hours later after leaving Memphis, I was once again on a Civil War battlefield,
this time in Vicksburg, Mississippi. And there men, white AND black, laid down
their lives to begin a long, long and hard fought battle for equality. From Civil War to Civil Rights. It took one
hundred years. And the struggle, actually, still continues.
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