How do remember Martin?
Murdered in cold blood on 4th April 1968 by a white man. Martin was a great orator, leader and dreamer.
A couple of my colleagues have been to the memorial in Washington, and unabashedly cried.
Pity many will not be able to travel there today.
I will read his great speeches as I get motivation from them.
A sad anniversary.
Regards Ron
Truly sad moment in America’s history but this is a TRAVEL forum not a political one.
Spellcheck might be useful!
Abraham, Martin and John
Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.
Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked around and he's gone.
Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked 'round and he's gone.
Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill,
With Abraham, Martin and John.
Please don't dismiss this as "political". Show a little respect for a great American.
The Martin Luther King memorial site in DC would be a wonderful place to travel to right now. I've only visited it once and found it to be very moving and a beautiful tribute to an amazing man. I knew someone that had worked with him years ago during the Civil Rights Movement. From what I was told, in real life, he was a wonderful man. His focus was on bringing people together regardless of ethnicity or social status.
Although closed now due to Covid-19, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Park in Atlanta would also be an excellent place to visit. It encompasses and interprets this amazing man's life and importance to the world.
I visited his tomb in 1968 when it sat in a dirt lot next door to Ebenezer Baptist Church. My then husband and I were the only ones there. An old man came from somewhere on the edge of the lot. When he saw us crying and placing a red rose on the tomb, he waved and smiled and left us alone. I'm tearing up right now with that memory.
I have not been to the memorial in DC. I haven't been to the national park.
The link below is to the page that includes the map of the park. There's a lot to see and learn there. I hope I get to go sometime.
If you're in San Francisco you can visit the memorial in Yerba Buena Gardens
https://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/martin-luther-king-memorial.html
If you're observing the current shelter-in-place guidelines, as you should be,
you can benefit from exploring the very comprehensive online collection of papers and recordings at the King research institute housed at Stanford University
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu
I will be wearing my souvenir t-shirt from the center in Atlanta referenced above which says
"Nonviolence OR Nonexistence" and you can see many quotations on the subject of war and peace at this page:
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/liberation-curriculum/classroom-resources/king-quotes-war-and-peace
@Claudia 9.40 PM
Apologies if you thought it was political. When my clock radio woke me up, one of the broadcast items was to remind us what had happened on this day. I see King’s work as being for social justice and equity.
Thank you for the spellcheck. A bad error. I don’t use spell check often. Yep a bad habit. My Oxford Don would have been horrified to learn I used one. Would probably have had the rugby boys take me out back of the woodshed and given me a jolly good thrashing. Luckily, he passed away some time ago.
In 1967 a referendum was held in Australia to update the original 1901 Constitutional Act. One of those changes sponsored by the conservative government and supported by major parties was to include indigenous Australians in the census. Voting here is compulsory. It passed 91% for to 9% against. My grandparents all told me they voted for it. A pivotal referendum for us, and happily, nearly unanimous. Racism was slowly retreating. Still has not died out.
Those arguing for the change, indigenous and many others used many of the speeches and arguments that King was advancing in the USA. Obviously moved people’s hearts to do the right thing.
Claudia, take time to think about all the good that has flowed from King, not just in USA but in other places. For example, South Africa is a different country now. Change takes time. I see him as a good man, not a politician. There is a lot of pressure from this virus, I am sure you just misread what I was trying to say. I have taken no offence with your post. I have enjoyed many of your posts, particularly your recent Istanbul dreaming.
The Kennedy brothers and King were/are great Americans, but really, they now belong to the whole world.
I hope you all navigate this virus successfully. Regards Ron
I do remember Martin, he was an American hero. His leadership in the civil rights movement was a major reason for the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 64. We have visited the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the Ebenezer Church. It is a good way to be reminded of his role in that movement.
Own up everyone who criticized my use of the term “political.”
All or any of you alive when JFK, Bobby and MLK were shot?
Well I was so please don’t lecture me.
I’ve seen the MLK memorial. I’ve been to Dealey Plaza in Dallas where there is a tasteless X marks the spot on the rode way. I’ve been to Arlington to see JFK’s and RFK’s graves. I’ve seen the Vietnam Memorial. I’ve seen the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor.
Stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for Obama’s first inaugural and was a guest at one of the balls.
Again, this is a travel forum not FaceBook where even well meaning remembrances of a great American shouldn’t be posted.
I was alive in 1968. But what does that have to do with anything?
Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride
The OP might not be considered political, but it also has nothing to do with travel. I'm sure there are many forums in which it would be appropriate.
Don’t forget to visit the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, home of the National Civil Rights Museum. https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/
I do not feel nor think the OP wrote his post to start a political war.
No matter what side a person is on, MLK was a human being shot down in his prime. He wanted to help change the World. Showing or paying RESPECT to a man is a nice gesture.
@Claudia 9.40 PM
Apologies if you thought it was political. When my clock radio woke me up, one of the broadcast items was to remind us what had happened on this day. I see King’s work as being for social justice and equity.
Thank you for the spellcheck. A bad error. I don’t use spell check often. Yep a bad habit. My Oxford Don would have been horrified to learn I used one. Would probably have had the rugby boys take me out back of the woodshed and given me a jolly good thrashing. Luckily, he passed away some time ago.
In 1967 a referendum was held in Australia to update the original 1901 Constitutional Act. One of those changes sponsored by the conservative government and supported by major parties was to include indigenous Australians in the census. Voting here is compulsory. It passed 91% for to 9% against. My grandparents all told me they voted for it. A pivotal referendum for us, and happily, nearly unanimous. Racism was slowly retreating. Still has not died out.
Those arguing for the change, indigenous and many others used many of the speeches and arguments that King was advancing in the USA. Obviously moved people’s hearts to do the right thing.
Claudia, take time to think about all the good that has flowed from King, not just in USA but in other places. For example, South Africa is a different country now. Change takes time. I see him as a good man, not a politician. There is a lot of pressure from this virus, I am sure you just misread what I was trying to say. I have taken no offence with your post. I have enjoyed many of your posts, particularly your recent Istanbul dreaming.
The Kennedy brothers and King were/are great Americans, but really, they now belong to the whole world.
Excellent answer ;)
...no insults or anger..."could learn from you." Just so sick and tired of some things in this World...
Yes, I was alive when all 3 were killed,; got called in off the school yard and told about JFK.
One thread out of how many????????
ONE
This thread will NOT be the downfall of the RS Empire. If you do not feel a thread is proper then just move on.
OP- thank you for posting this. Very thoughtful of you.
To All: 9PM Sun
I am sorry that I have upset some. I was unaware that King’s murder was seen in political terms. I still view him as a good man. A Christian and civil rights leader for justice and equality. Did not realise that some consider his actions as political or see him in that way. On sad anniversaries like this, I presumed people would like to visit sites of remembrance. This virus made these gatherings unwise and perhaps impossible.
What is travel? To most of us it starts as flight, accommodation, food, museums and interesting buildings etc. In time we progress to looking beyond the veneer of a location and look for its soul. The real insight into a society.
I enjoy the writings of Steves and Hewitt as they fill this area of my curiosity. They go to places I may never get to and paint a picture beyond the normal glitz. Both are good writers, but Hewitt’s journalist bent seems to resonate a little more with me.
I guess each must draw their own conclusions as to whether I chose the correct forum. Not sure there is a correct answer. Just one of the freedoms we have inherited.
To anyone who was upset or irritated, it was not my intent. Please remember Martin as a great American and great human being.
To those of you who remembered Martin in your own way, thank you for allowing me to remember with you.
We have that moving song sung by Dion. Perhaps, also play your favourite Bill Withers song.
Regards Ron
I was in elementary school when JFK was shot. As written, I’m confused about why it was mentioned on a travel forum, since there isn’t even a question. Had it been a travel to Washington DC to see all the monuments it would be more appropriate. That being said, the National Park Service and Park police are limiting how many people are allowed anywhere in the mall area now and for the foreseeable future. Nothing is open, so if you happened to get to it, hope you don’t need to use a restroom during your visit.
MLK discussion on travel forum in the context of Rick Steve's "Traveling as a Political Act":
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/10-tips-for-traveling-as-a-political-act
Get out of your comfort zone: The MLK question appears to have taken some out of their comfort zone.
Connect with people, and try to understand them: Thank you for a NZ perspective of MLK and NZs native population.
Be a cultural chameleon: Embrace cultural difference and appreciate what a black preacher brought to the table.
Understand contemporary context: Why is MLK political when the Civil Rights Act was supported by both Republican and Democratic leaders?
Empathize with the other 96 percent of humanity: "Put yourself in the shoes (or sandals, or bare feet) of the people you meet."
Identify — and undermine — your own ethnocentricity: Why are Robert E Lee statues so important to some Southerners and Southern sympathizers?
Accept the legitimacy of other moralities: This one can be hard to swallow. How can we tolerate hate and lies?
Sightsee with an edge: How many MLK Boulevards can you find in your USA travels?
Make your trip an investment in a better world: https://www.earthday.org/reading-list-martin-luther-king-jr-and-the-environment/
Make a broader perspective your favorite souvenir: MLK spoke to and for all of us.
@ Edgar 10PM Mon
Thank you for your support. Well-reasoned arguments. Point 4 is very conclusive.
It appears I may have been rather naive as to how King was seen today. I have always admired him and the Kennedy brothers.
My colleagues had become rather emotional when showing me pictures of their visit to the Washington DC sculpture. I had seen TV coverage of previous memorial occasions and thought that it was rather sad that it would not be possible this year.
A little point, I am in Tasmania which is part of Australia. NZ is next door. Pretty close. They love to beat the hell out of us at rugby and we like to give them a beating at cricket. Tasmania and South Island NZ are very similar climates. Both are isolated, which currently is a good thing. Both are a bit of a secret.
Took time to have a look at where you live and noticed your town was inland from the coast. It looks to me that the coastal climate of Oregon would be like mine. Hobart, the capital, a port city is a little smaller than your Medford. I live south not far from a bay.
Maybe one day I can buy you a couple of beers.
Keep remembering Martin. Stay safe. Ron
