The Man With a Dream

As a nearly life-long Memphian, the life of Martin Luther King, Jr has always fascinated me.  He  was a Southern Black man when neither of those adjectives were a positive thing.  Yet, he found a way to help alter our country's view of each other.  He played a major role in the catalyst of change within our country's Civil Right's movement.  He didn't act alone, but he certainly provided an amazing leader to follow.  

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King was not the only well-known visitor of the Lorraine Motel, although he stayed there several times on trips to Memphis.   The guests also include Wilson Pickett,  Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding- just to name a few.  The musicians would come to Memphis to record at Stax Records.  During segregation, the Lorraine was considered to be upscale lodging. 

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Several years after the assassination, the hotel became the site of the Civil Rights Museum.  Taken from their website:

The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement  

and the legacy of this movement to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts 

globally, through our collections, exhibitions, and educational programs

In addition to his famous, "I have a dream speech," he made in Washington, there are literally thousands of quotes worth studying and adhering to.  
Some of my favorites::

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Find More Quotes HERE at GoodReads

Thank you Mr. King.  Thank you for sharing your light with us and your vision.  You made our world a better place to live in.  

And?  if any of you are ever in my lovely town, let me know.  I'd be glad to take you to the museum and then find a big plate of BBQ to enjoy.