Remembering MLK’s Legacy

Continue through to the March on Washington exhibit and listen to a recording of his “I Have a Dream” speech while standing among several statues of protesters holding picket signs. Like stepping into the shoes of those who had been there, I was once again reminded of this turbulent time in American history. One display had a phone where you could listen in on a conversation between John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Here is what I heard, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. The recordings of his speeches struck me the most. The pitch of his voice and his talent as a speaker, combined with the impact of his words, is unforgettable. I wrote down quote after quote in complete admiration.

Approaching the hotel half of the museum, realizing that I was about to enter the Lorraine Motel, I sighed as I walked through, knowing that I would be shaken. The actual room is set up exactly how it was in that fatal day. Even the bed sheets are folded down a bit, as well as a few half-filled coffee cups, transporting the viewer back in time. Looking across the street from where I stood, you can make out where the killer had positioned himself in the Young and Morrow building. Today that building is a museum that explores the evidence and case of Martin Luther King’s assassination. It’s a dark reminder that America and the world have come along way since the start of the Civil Rights Movement, but there are still parts of his dream in today’s world that are not yet a reality.

I came here to remember the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as to re-educate myself about the Civil Rights Movement. This movement tapped into the rage and unremitting struggle plus the unrelenting force of the people who wanted a change. I was taken in mostly by the images and stories of average everyday people following Martin Luther King’s non-violent philosophy of protest and demand for change. “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”—Martin Luther King, Jr. In today’s world, people are still struggling to reach equality for all. We have the memory of the dreamer and leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., to keep us inspired as we work toward the full realization of his dream.