11June2008 The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Tn
The National Civil Rights Museum was built adjoining the Lorraine Motel where Dr Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights leader, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, was assassinated on 4 April 1968. We spent hours pouring over photos, news clips, and memorabilia of the civil rights movement. We listened to recordings of speeches, interviews, recollections.
The gate, proudly affixed with an excerpt of MLK Jr's speech, was the entrance to the boarding house, opposite Lorraine Motel, where the shot was fired.
The wreath, which marked the spot where the civil rights leader fell, was a stark reminder that the fight against bigotry and racism required endless vigilance and courage. The nature of the fight has to evolve as discrimination got subtler. “The times they are a changing”, a line from an old song reminds us; only now, change will come faster with increasing numbers of educated minorities in influential positions. Change will also accelerate when conditions in other countries - notably Africa - improve. This will take decades yet, but nevertheless, it will come to pass. (No photography was allowed in the museum.)
The heaviness in our hearts was lifted when we entered the King’s Palace Café. David Bowen was a seasoned musician in his fifties. He had owned a guitar for as long as he could remember. His relaxed renditions of blues, jazz, and soft rock numbers transported us to a carefree mode.
Oh my God, what’s happening? A huge section of Beale St had been cordoned off - no cars were allowed. The kerbs on either side were lined with motorbikes – all shiny, reflecting the pride of their owners in their machines. A passerby said Wednesday was ‘bike night’. There must have been hundreds of machines - all of them in tip top condition. I thought about the hours and hours of loving care required to restore them to their spotless condition after each outing. Although Harleys outnumbered other makes, every imaginable brand was represented. The riders were mostly middle aged, and potbellied. But in full biking regalia astride these gleaming machines, they looked sensational - a sense of importance and pride painted on their faces. The pillion riders tto were proud and happy - wives or girlfriends that shared their men's passion for the feeling of wind rush through their hair.
'Bike night' was quite a spectacle. Thank you Memphis.
Distance traveled 19.9 miles
Lorraine Motel, in Memphis Tn, where Martin Luther King Jr was assasinated on 4April 1968
The wreath, marking the spot where MLK Jr was shot, is on the railing, first floor, on the right. The entrance to the museum is on the left. The bedroom where the civil rights leader stayed the night before can be accessed through the first floor of the museum
"I MAY NOT GET THERE WITH YOU BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE AS A PEOPLE WILL GET TO THE PROMISED LAND" - Dr Martin Luthur King Jr
The gate, opposite the motel, that led to where the shot was fired
David Bowen performing in the King's Palace
'Bike night' in Memphis Tn
What a machine!
A Limited Edition - 8 of 30!
Dig those blue and red lights!
The owner was probably quaffing in a bar - but only one allowed, d n d laws were tough
Where has everybody gone? Easy answer!
'Bike night' is good for the economy of the city
If bikes were not your thing, there were other forms of transport
The gate, proudly affixed with an excerpt of MLK Jr's speech, was the entrance to the boarding house, opposite Lorraine Motel, where the shot was fired.
The wreath, which marked the spot where the civil rights leader fell, was a stark reminder that the fight against bigotry and racism required endless vigilance and courage. The nature of the fight has to evolve as discrimination got subtler. “The times they are a changing”, a line from an old song reminds us; only now, change will come faster with increasing numbers of educated minorities in influential positions. Change will also accelerate when conditions in other countries - notably Africa - improve. This will take decades yet, but nevertheless, it will come to pass. (No photography was allowed in the museum.)
The heaviness in our hearts was lifted when we entered the King’s Palace Café. David Bowen was a seasoned musician in his fifties. He had owned a guitar for as long as he could remember. His relaxed renditions of blues, jazz, and soft rock numbers transported us to a carefree mode.
Oh my God, what’s happening? A huge section of Beale St had been cordoned off - no cars were allowed. The kerbs on either side were lined with motorbikes – all shiny, reflecting the pride of their owners in their machines. A passerby said Wednesday was ‘bike night’. There must have been hundreds of machines - all of them in tip top condition. I thought about the hours and hours of loving care required to restore them to their spotless condition after each outing. Although Harleys outnumbered other makes, every imaginable brand was represented. The riders were mostly middle aged, and potbellied. But in full biking regalia astride these gleaming machines, they looked sensational - a sense of importance and pride painted on their faces. The pillion riders tto were proud and happy - wives or girlfriends that shared their men's passion for the feeling of wind rush through their hair.
'Bike night' was quite a spectacle. Thank you Memphis.
Distance traveled 19.9 miles
Lorraine Motel, in Memphis Tn, where Martin Luther King Jr was assasinated on 4April 1968
The wreath, marking the spot where MLK Jr was shot, is on the railing, first floor, on the right. The entrance to the museum is on the left. The bedroom where the civil rights leader stayed the night before can be accessed through the first floor of the museum
"I MAY NOT GET THERE WITH YOU BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE AS A PEOPLE WILL GET TO THE PROMISED LAND" - Dr Martin Luthur King Jr
The gate, opposite the motel, that led to where the shot was fired
David Bowen performing in the King's Palace
'Bike night' in Memphis Tn
What a machine!
A Limited Edition - 8 of 30!
Dig those blue and red lights!
The owner was probably quaffing in a bar - but only one allowed, d n d laws were tough
Where has everybody gone? Easy answer!
'Bike night' is good for the economy of the city
If bikes were not your thing, there were other forms of transport
posted by Regamy at
10:52 PM
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