Memphis: The Dream Ends, or Does It?

Today was a hard day. We are in Memphis. In this blog on our Civil Rights tour I have only gotten to the point in 1960 when Martin left his call at Dexter Avenue in Montgomery and moved back to Atlanta. There are so many pictures and experiences to share between 1960 and 1968--but, when you are in Memphis, 1968 shouts out.

This is a sad place, and you can get so close to it--painfully close. The National Civil Rights Museum here incorporates both the Lorraine Hotel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and the boarding house where James Earl Ray was staying. The museum takes you through the entire history of being black in America, from slavery to the Civil War, to Reconstruction, to segregation, and then all of the major events of the Civil Rights Movement.
It is the winter of 1968, and the sanitation workers in Memphis have decided to go on strike because of the terrible ways in which they are being treated. At this point Martin is putting most of his effort into the Poor People's Campaign, an effort to bring attention to the tremendous amount of poverty present in America. The plan is to begin a march in Mississippi that will go all the way to Washington, D. C. But, since the sanitation workers were themselves extremely poor, he decides he should support this effort.

On March 18 Martin goes to Memphis, where a crowd of 15,000 awaited him at the Mason Temple. He encourages the workers to continue their strike, which had started on February 12. He ends his speech with these words: Having to live under the threat of death every day, sometimes I get discouraged. Having to take so much abuse and criticism, sometimes from my own people, I get discouraged. . . . . .sometimes I feel discouraged and that my work is in vain. But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. In Gilead, there is balm to make the wounded whole. If we believe that, we will build a new Memphis.

Martin returns to Memphis on March 28 to lead another march. However, some young folks who had not been trained in the methodology of non-violence joined the march, and, far behind Martin, who was at the front of the march, starting breaking windows in the stores and violence resulted. The march had to be stopped, and Martin was rushed away for his own protection.

Martin was extremely disturbed by this, not only worrying that people would see him as not being able to prevent violence in a demonstration, but also that he might not be able to prevent violence in the march on Washington scheduled for April 22. Those around him say he is as depressed and anxious as they have ever seen him.

Martin and David Abernathy, who now is also a pastor in Atlanta, fly home. Martin is convinced they need to have another march very soon in Memphis to demonstrate that it can be done non-violently. After much negotiating and planning, that date is set for Monday, April 8.

Martin and David return to Memphis on Wednesday, April 3 to work on the march plans. They check into room 306 of the Lorraine Hotel, a black-owned hotel, where Martin had been staying on his trips to Memphis since the 1950's. As part of the build-up to the march, another rally is being held at the Mason Temple. It was a rainy, dark night, and a small crowd is expected. Martin was still depressed about the events since the last march, and was fighting a cold, and told David to go and address the audience himself.

When David got to the Temple only about 2000 people were there. However, he quickly realizes that Martin is the one they want to hear. He calls the Lorraine Hotel and asks Martin to come over. He agrees to do so. Not planning to speak, he has no notes.

David gives a lengthy introduction, and finally calls on Martin. He gives what we now call the "Mountaintop" speech.

After the speech David and Martin have a late dinner with friends, and return to the Lorraine Hotel late at night. Martin's brother, A.D. had arrived from his new call in Louisville, and they and others stay up even later to visit.  Martin and A.D. also call their Mother in Atlanta and visit with her for about an hour.

The next day, April 4, was filled with a number of meetings in preparation for the April 8 march. Martin and David and many of the SCLC staff had been invited to dinner at the home of Rev. Billy Kyles, a local pastor. Billy and Martin are standing on the balcony outside room 306, just after 6pm, when the shot rang out. I took these pictures from where James Earl Ray was standing, and where Martin was standing just outside of room 306.

Below is how Martin ended his last speech the night before:

Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life--longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.