“The quality, not longevity of one’s life is what is important.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.
I was only 13 when Dr. Martin Luther 'King Jr.' gave his historic “I have a dream” speech in 1963. The struggles of the civil rights movement during the 60s were hard to digest as a young boy. I remember being moved by his inspiring and passionate oratory skills and non-violent protests. During a riverboat cruise in the spring of 2018, with a final stop in Memphis, Cecile and I, and our friends, Nelson and Susan Bye spent an emotional morning visiting the National Civil Rights Museum. 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. It looks much like it did on April 4, 1968, when James Earl Ray fired the fatal round from the boarding-house window next to the Young and Morrow Building directly across from Mulberry Street. A funeral wreath of red and white carnations hangs on the railing outside room 306, making it a symbol of the civil rights movement and becoming the first Civil Rights Museum in 1991. In its’ day, the Lorraine Hotel hosted such entertainers as Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and B.B. King. The vintage cars in the parking lot represent the vehicles parked at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was killed. While musicians were welcomed to perform. Though his birthday actually falls on January 15, it is officially observed on the third Monday in January which is January 17.
I chose the following poem which in my view best remembers, honors, and celebrates the life of one of the greatest Civil Rights leaders of
our time.
Standing Tall
—by Jamie Mckenzie
Some kings rule their kingdoms sitting down
Surrounded by luxury, soft cushions and fans
But this King stood strong, stood proudly, stood tall
When the driver told Rosa “Move to the back of the bus!”
When the waiter told students “We don’t serve your kind!”
When the Mayor told voters “Your vote don’t count!…” And,
When the sheriff told marchers “Get off the streets!”
Using fire hoses, police dogs, and cattle prods to move them along
The King stood strong, stood tall, speaking of peace, of love,
Children hand-in-hand, as he yelled free at last, free at last.
When some yelled for violence
For angry revenge
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
He stood his ground
Preaching peace
And when some spit out hate
He stood there smiling
Spreading love…breaking down the walls
Ringing the bell joyfully for Freedom
While standing on the mountain top
They shot him coldly
Hoping to see him fall
Hoping to put him away
To bring him low.
But this King
Even in death
Even today
Stands strong, stands proudly
Stands tall
And we remember
[This is a modified excerpt taken from Mckenzie's original poem]
