Partnership Educators,
April 3, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. headed to Memphis, Tennessee, to support sanitation workers. King had been to the city for a rally back in March but it had devolved to rioting and chaos. He wanted to go back and have a successful march that proved his method of nonviolent demonstrations.
He was exhausted after having a bomb threat delay in Atlanta and then received an injunction from the city, to stop the march, upon arriving late. Martin Luther King Jr. had been traveling for weeks and gave many speeches. That night he had been scheduled to speak at Mason Temple Church but he had a cold and was tired so he sent Ralph Abernathy. Abernathy sensed the crowd's disappointment with King's absence and so he convinced Martin to appear.
April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his now infamous speech called, "I've Been to the Mountaintop." Within that speech, King takes the listener through a journey that highlights human civilization and even discusses how he had been stabbed 10 years earlier and how that stabbing may have prevented him from being there that night. He confesses that he knows that this is exactly where he wanted to be in all that history. He ends his speech with these famous words, "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter to 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 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." No one knew then that it would be the last speech he would give for on April 4, 1968, he was assassinated.
We all live within the times that we have been given. I am thankful that I am living these times with all of you who were also chosen to be the difference. When an exhausted King had finished speaking, Robert Abernathy recalled that King was helped back to his seat, tears welling in his eyes. However, the emotional speech was cathartic for a man who had endured so much stress. Making a difference can be exhausting but in the end a peaceful reward.
This weekend we honor a great man who helped to push equity for all within his timeframe and ours. Thanks for making a difference each and every day within your timeframe. You are all doing great work.
Rob