When I visited Memphis for the first time a few months ago, there was one landmark I made it a point to see. Sure, I toured Elvis Presley’s Graceland and visited the world-famous Sun Studio. But nothing was more humbling than my visit to the Lorraine Motel. This is where civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., was gunned down nearly 43 years ago.
I know what you might be thinking right about now. Why would anyone bring up the tragic end of King’s life on the very weekend we’re supposed to be celebrating his birth and his life?
Before visiting Memphis, I had always known about the Lorraine Motel and was taught from an early age about its significance in American history. I can remember seeing pictures of the motel in text books as a student. And each April, the motel is featured prominently in documentaries about the King assassination. A visit to the Lorraine meant more to me than any place blue suede shoes might have walked.
I was only in Memphis for two days. A weekend. I woke up early on Sunday, boarded the trolley and headed to 405 Mulberry Street. As I rounded the corner, I saw the colorful Lorraine Motel sign in all of its retro glory. Perfectly preserved, it looked more like something you would see in Vegas than Memphis, Tennessee.
I moved closer to the building itself. I walked up to a simple concrete marker. Chiseled into the rough surface is King’s name, the years he lived and the title, “Founding President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference.” Beneath the title is a Bible verse taken from Genesis 37: 19-20. It reads, “They said to one another, Behold. Here cometh the dreamer…let us slay him…and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” My eyes then gently lifted up to the iconic balcony where King drew one of his last breaths. As it has for years, a simple white and red wreath hangs on the metal railing of the motel balcony, an enduring tribute to the man and his legacy.
It was at this moment after reading the concrete marker and seeing the simple wreath that I bowed my head and reflected upon the man himself and what he stood for. What he meant to this nation. The progress we’ve made and the miles we’ve yet to go. I defy anyone to visit the Lorraine Motel and not be humbled.
To remember Martin Luther King, Jr., the man and his legacy, one must also remember how he died. The sacrifice he made for the cause of civil rights. But as we’re remembering MLK this weekend and all the great things he did during his all-too-short life, it’s with a tinge of sadness and disappointment.
Last weekend, there was an assassination attempt on a member of Congress. While the congresswoman survived, six innocent people died. In the days that followed, there was a great deal of finger pointing. Did our toxic political atmosphere in combination with our love of guns in this country somehow contribute to the attack of a madman in Arizona? That was the question that was debated in the media, on Capitol Hill and in the heartland. And as everyone talked about civility in politics, the more uncivil the debate became. It got ugly. It got nasty. It was sophomoric and even frightening at times.
I wasn’t around during the time of Martin Luther King, Jr. I was born seven years after his death. But I’ve read, viewed, and listened to many of his speeches. He was a great orator who didn’t have to point fingers to get his point across. He didn’t have to call out people by name. His fiery passion never deteriorated into an uncivil shouting match. He spoke the truth from his heart and changed a nation in the process.
We all know King lived during a time of great social upheaval. Politics wasn’t any prettier during the civil rights movement than it is today. But if you listen carefully to King’s words, no matter how many times he was viciously attacked by the other side, his words were always carefully formed and could never be misconstrued. He said what he meant and meant what he said.
So as we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend, I do it with a little bit of sadness. Where are the leaders of this generation like Martin Luther King, Jr.? The inspirational leaders who are above the fray? And if he were still alive, what would he think of our political discourse in 2011? Tell me, what has become of his dreams?
