Civil Rights

Entering Memphis we stopped at the National Civil Rights Museum, adjacent to the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Standing outside the building and looking up to the balcony on the second floor, you cannot miss the site of the killing. A wreath of flowers adorns the railing outside room 306 - the very spot that Reverend King was killed. It was chilling to recall those events and all that had occurred that year - 1968. We toured the museum's exhibits which chronicle the entire Civil Rights Movement. During this walk-through history, you learn the events leading up to Dr. King's presence at the motel that day. You also learn the history of James Earl Ray. What is most poignant is getting to stand in the spot from which he fired the rifle to kill MLK. It seemed all too real - recalling that tragic day 45 years ago. The museum also honors those who fought and, in too many cases, died for the cause of civil rights. It celebrates the achievements made in the cause, but points to the fact that there is still more to be done. And that is up to each of us.