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Today Americans celebrate the life and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He would have been 81 years old today. This mural of Dr. King by Seattle artist James Crespinel is at the corner of Cherry Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Here is the last passage from his historic "Mountaintop" speech given the night before his assasination in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Speaking of his reaction to and thoughts about the bomb threat to the commercial airplane on which he had flown into Memphis:
"And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?
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 so 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!"
"And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?
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 so 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!"
10 comments:
That is an amazing mural - I would love to see it in real life.
Excellent post, Kim.
Kim, YES! I found another MLK post on the City Daily Photo portal. So far, it is just the two of us. I love your photo AND your text. I'm going back to link to your post.
Jan
GDP
Great mural!
Beautiful mural and a wonderful post for today.
This is a wonderful post attributed to a great human being.
It still gives me chills even just to read it. I can still hear his strong voice saying those words.
Excellent post and tribute Kim.
I remember listening to MLK. This is a very touching post, and he's right. If you let your fear get a hold of you, you will never do anything or go anywhere. As I believe Eleanor Roosevelt said, 'You have to do the thing you think you cannot do,' or something to that effect.
Great mural and photo to commemorate the day, Kim. I heard MLK on the St. Paul, U of MN campus, earlier in his career, and I don't think I'll ever forget his delivery, which was mesmerizing.
A beautiful shot for a beautiful message.
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