Arlene

Today, we departed for Memphis. It was a warm and sunny day. We checked in and went to the Loraine Motel Museum. It was quite a source of information. We first went into a room, which contained information about all the civil rights women who made a difference.

Next, we went into an auditorium and watched the movie about Dr. King. After the movie we walked through the museum and observed all the information about the civil rights movement. We saw a replica of the bus that Rosa Parks was arrested on. We saw a replica of a greyhound bus that African Americans were not allow to ride during Jim Crow days. We saw moving murals of demonstrators being attacked by dogs and water hoses. We saw demonstrators being beating with Billy Clubs by police. We saw the cell that Dr. King stayed in while in jail. The letter from the Birmingham jail that Dr. King wrote was posted on the wall. He wrote on toilet paper and edges of newspaper. Dr. King was a brilliant and peaceful man.

Arriving at the room in which Dr. King stayed, we looked at his room (it was arranged to show exactly how the room looked on that sad day) and we could also see where he stood when his was killed. There was a huge red and white wreath hanging from the balcony marking the place that he stood when he was gunned down. Across the street was a warehouse, which served as the place where the killer stood. It showed the killer shotgun and some of his clothes.
The warehouse contained a lot of information about how the communities were working together to bring about change. The civil rights marches were during a very sad time in history. We still have a long way to go. We have made progress, but everything is not as it should be everyone is still not equal. Dr. King, Rev. Shuttleworth and many other unspoken nonviolent protesters provided the leadership for the opportunities we all enjoy today, but the struggle is not over. There is so much more to be done.

We had dinner at Neely’s. It is known for its barbecue. The food was outstanding and the staff was wonderful. If you should go to Memphis, make sure you visit Neely’s.

After leaving the restaurant, we went to Beale Street. There were bands playing jazz up and down the street. You did not have to be in the restaurant to hear the music. There many people walking up and down the street. It was quite a sight to behold. You need to visit Beale Street if you ever travel to Memphis.

After our trip to Beale Street, we went back to our hotel to pack and get some sleep. It was time to go back to Morgantown the next morning and it was a very long ride. We developed friendships. I got to know people that would never have known without taking this trip. I developed a great respect for the people that traveled with me.

The Civil Rights movement was very organized. It was something that needed to happen.

The MLK trip has revealed to me some many things that I did not know. I have a greater admiration for the foot soldiers that made many sacrifices for me. They could have said “No this road is too hard”, but they did not. They kept on anyhow. I salute them. I will never forget what they have done for me. They have challenged me to do my part to make a difference. There is still a lot of work for equality for all men. Everyone should visit the places that we traveled to. There were large crowds of people to see these civil rights monuments. There were people of many different hues. Parents brought their children to teach. It is quite beautiful to know that parents want their children to see what happens when people tire of injustice. It important to know that every man, woman, and child deserves justice and freedom. The color of one’s skin should not be a reason to deny them that freedom and justice.

I truly learned a lot from the MLK study tour. My life will never be the same. It was a blessing to me.