Death of a Dream

During the spring of 1968 a powerful situation of violence and human rights was taking place in Memphis, TN. Three consecutive months of racial riots and violent protest plagued the city. News of unfair working conditions for the Black sanitation workers traveled fast. A decision was made by Martin Luther King Jr to pay a visit to Memphis in support of the striking sanitation workers. Dr. King later made several trips to Memphis after the strike to elate the progress in the city. On April 3, 1968 Dr. King arrived to Memphis and he checked into the Lorraine Motel located in Downtown Memphis. This trip would be his last trip to Memphis and last crusade for Civil Rights. On April 3, 1968 Dr. King gave his last speech "I have been to the mountain top" at a rally in Memphis. After the rally Dr. King returned to the Lorraine Motel, and upon entering his room while standing on the balcony he was killed by a single gun shot. James Earl Ray may have killed Dr. King, but his bullet gave birth to Martin Luther King's Dream in Memphis. James Earl Ray's actions of yesterday have influenced the city of Memphis progression as one the main front runners in global economics. History was made in Memphis long before the city elected its first black mayor. A single shot rang out on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN changing history forever. That day was embraced by Memphians as the reality of living the dream.

Although we may not have truly reached that mountain top, but Black History is celebrated through the strides that Memphians have made locally and on a national front. Today people of color are powerful decision makers in the city of Memphis. Some cities are still looking for ways to elect officials that represents them in content and character. While for the past ten years Memphis has had an African American mayor and a host of African American representative in local and national governing bodies such and the state and the congress. Also and let us not forget we elected the youngest congressman, Harold Ford Jr. to the House of Representatives. Ford also made history for bidding for a controversial senate seat to content as the first African American to hold the seat since reconstruction. It's so ironic that the same location MLK was gunned down at served now as a pillar in our society. The work of city officials the Lorraine Motel was converted to National Civil Right Museum. The chronological organization of the museum takes foot steps with Sojourner Truth form the abolition of slavery until Forbes billionaire list with Oprah Winfrey. The National Civil Rights Museum serves as a multifunction facility. Throughout the year different exhibits are displayed of African American painters and sculptors. Guest lectures also visit and share light on their vision and the dream. This vivid reminder has helped us celebrate black history in Memphis 365.

As a result of the brave heroic few we are able to hold fast to dreams and apply the drive that our ancestors had for equality and human rights. Black History details the African Americans journey and inspires their future. "We have gone form plowing cotton fields to driving automobiles. We have gone form using the outta house to living in the White House. We have gone from cleaning hog pins to driving Mercedes Benz."