On the eve of today's "Recommitment March," the National Civil Rights Museum presented "In Remembrance There is Life: A Night of Storytelling." Dr. King's life and legacy were celebrated through the stories of people who walked, talked and worked with him.
Civil Rights Museum - Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: The Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: The Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: Visitors looks toward the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, past a wreath marking the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: A wreath marks the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death on the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: Visitors looks toward the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, past a wreath marking the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: Janice O'Neill looks out from the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: A Memphis resident named Ekbe walks past the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, and the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: A wreath marks the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death on the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Getty Images
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: A wreath marks the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death on the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Getty Images
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 3: Students look out from the second floor of the Lorraine Hotel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, past a wreath marking the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death April 3, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of King's death. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The multi-media program was held in Hudson Hall, formerly the white waiting room of Central Station. The storytellers included Dr. Wyatt T. Walker, Rev. C.T. Vivian, Dr. Dorothy Cotton, Clarence Jones, Myrlie Evers-Williams and Tony Brown.
Memories of Dr. King's final days were shared by Dr. Benjamin Hooks, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., and the Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles who, along with the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, was with Dr. King in Room 306 in the final hour of his life.
Jackson made it clear that Dr. King did not give his life – it was taken:
He did not flinch in the face of death but Dr. King did not give his life. He was not afraid of death but he did not die a masochist.Dr. Cotton, the Education Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, asked:
What will you do? What will you do to bring Dr. King's dream alive?She reminded us that we are the ones we have been waiting for.
More King Coverage
+ 40 years later, question remains: What if King had lived?
+ New Book: America 'After King'
+ Who Really killed MLK?
+ Martin Luther King: Talking to History


Comments: (12)
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By: MWPR on 4/04/2008 10:36AM
I believe that we are all here to play a specific role in making our communities reflect the dream that Dr. King described, marched for and ultimately died trying to realize. It is our responsibility to pick up the baton and take an active role in improving ourselves first and then our personal circles of influence. I am afraid of the generations that are behind me and are yet to be born...that the disconnect between 1968 and 2008 is becoming so wide, that the future will have no connection to the past, if we do not put action behind our constant rhetoric.
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By: BENZLUVA on 4/04/2008 1:06PM
Randy you do have some valid points, However you cannot possible believe that all of us "negro men" are interested in being negative, rather than positive.If I may suggest to you a book called "Our kind of people" by Lawrence Otis Graham,its the true story of the black UPPER class.Not celebrites or athletes, or rappers, this book is about the black self made people who come from the upper class and all the contributions we have made in the fields of medicine,literature,art,insurance,etc..I for one had the priviledge of being raised by 2 loving parents who stressed to me from a very age the value and importance of an education.Thank goodness I listened to my parents, because I might have been offended by some of the things you said.I have an education and a very good job and so do the many " negro" male friends and family members of mine, thank you very much.
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By: Creator on 4/04/2008 4:34PM
Randy I'm guessing that you were not yet born when Dr King was alive. It's obvious that you're quite an angry man filled with self hatred. I question whether you're African-American. I marched with Brother Martin. Young African-Americans born after the death of Brother Martin knows little of his struggles and sacrifices. Most if not all of the advancements Dr. King accomplished has all but slipped away. We African-Americans makes up roughly 10% of the total population of America, so there's little we can really do to shape policy in this country.White America has thrown us a few bones to attempt to pacify African-Americans but the dismantling of affirmative action was a deep blow. While I object to giving African-Americans points over whites when applying for jobs, the dismantling of affirmative action also put us out of contention for gettting employment for blue collar jobs which is the back bone of this country. Randy you're either a foolish White-American perpetrating to be African-American or a misinformed "Negro" that's had been awarded a loaf of bread from the white establishment and figures you're accepted. The only other reason you have such contempt for African-Americans would be that you're a total failure and you blame other African-Americans for your miserable situation. One thing if nothing else, Bro Martin was a man of God and he would lower his head in with pity while trying to figure out how his efforts failed to penetrate through your thick head. Randy what positive things have you done to advance the progress of Dr Kings dream besides standing on the sidelines waiting for us to fail only to criticize of efforts to advance. While i'm quite annoyed with you this afternoon, I'll pray for you tonight in my prayers. Revisit your history(if you are African-American) and restart your journey to help advance your people as well as yourself. May God Bless You.............
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By: Creator on 4/04/2008 5:38PM
It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is. If you realize that the only vehicle for change are these people who have lost their personality. The first step therefore is to make the black man come to himself, to pump back life into his empty shell.To infuse him with pride and dignity. To remind him of his complicity in the crime of allowing himself to be misused and therefore letting evil reign supreme in the country of his birth. Think about it Randy, uplift your conciousness.
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By: Greg Jones on 4/05/2008 11:01AM
From: Blacks4Barack.org
OBAMA PROVES WHITES NOT AS PREJUDICED AS WE THOUGHT !
" There's no way America would vote for a black president !.....America's not ready for a black president." That has historically been the sentiment and attitude shared by the majority of blacks in America due in part to the fact that we have always been under the assumption that most whites are so prejudiced that a black president in America would just never happen. But one of the most incredible things that has arisen through Barack Obamas campaign has been the vision of mass numbers of white people at each of the Obama rallys showing great love and support for this credible, intelligent, gifted, strong leader....who happens to also be black. It has been incredibly eye-opening and uplifting, and it, for the first time, shows us blacks that we have actually been wrong in our assumption that most whites are prejudiced toward us. Guess what ? Although you do have the exceptions to the rule, the fact is....most whites ARE NOT racist toward blacks. This is a very important revelation. VERY !!!
We, as blacks have held on to our injured history, which we rightfully feel was caused by whites, to such a degree that we have never had the opportunity to see or learn that the prejudiced attitudes of whites does not exist today like it had in the past. We just didn't know. We knew that a lot of whites like black music. We knew that millions of white women love Oprah, but we thought that was just a 'woman thing'. But in all honesty, we had no idea, until now, that white people of all ages....even older ones...could be as supportive of a black candidate as they have shown in great mass. We, as blacks have been wrong !
And now, to my black brothers and sisters....It's time for us to acknowledge this extremely important revelation...In other words....all whites are not prejudiced !!! In fact, MOST whites aren't ! I know, it's hard to believe because of our lifetime of thinking differently....but these are the facts. Just look in the eyes of the whites at Obama's rallys. You see a true warmth, compassion and true support for this man....who is black. What this means is that most whites have risen above the racism of old. Now, it is time for us, as blacks, to rise up as well. Of course, we as blacks will have the specific cases of injustice and prejudice as displayed through examples like Jena 6, Genarlow Wilson, Katrina and the like....and specific cases like those should be dealt with accordingly. In regards to economic, educational and criminal injustices....we still have a long way to go. But we must not continue to allow certain negative occurances to misdirect our minds toward thinking that these negative examples speak for the entire white race. The majority of whites of today are actually on our side !
Obama's campaign has already won by proving that whites and blacks can not only get along....but can work TOGETHER....toward a better tomorrow...for us all. And guess what my black family....America IS ready !!!
Greg Jones
Visit:www.Blacks4Barack.org
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By: Cecil Jones on 4/06/2008 5:44AM
Forty years after MLK's death, what is the state of Black America? We are hopeful, engaged, and optimistic. In spite of the fact that our established leadership has miserably failed us. In spite of the fact that our media is marginalized. In spite of the fact that our women are revered and expolited for their beauty and sexual talents. In spite of the apathy displayed by our men selling drugs and being marginalized for a lack of education. The state of the Black Community is hopeful and ready to see a real change that signals a real opportunity and a reason to try. Why are we not trying now? Access to capital and education is limited. The selective enforcement of the law places Black men in the crosshairs of justice. It's not about one's color of skin that determines one's place in society. No education, no cash, and no justice leads to a predictable outcome regardless of color. All we have is the hope of change; but that's better than what Diallo and Bell received.
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By: jane on 4/06/2008 9:41PM
Randy, It's unfortunate that each time someone want to talk about black men, it have to be on Martin Luther King's birthday or his anniversary, however, you can't lump all black men and black women together. All black men and women don't sell drugs, take care of men, degrade black women, not give back to the black community and move out their neighborhood. The way I see it is Black men are leaders, if you take a look around, if a black man sag, the white man sag, if the black man pierce his ears, the white man pierces his ears, if the black listen to loud music, the white and the asian listen to loud music, and if the black sell drugs, the white, mexican, and asian do the same thing. If the black marry a white woman, well the white marry a black woman, and the trend go on and on. So Randy don't lump all Black men in one bucket. Look at society.
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By: Black and Pride on 4/07/2008 3:39AM
Randy you make a valid point. I watch a televison show about pimps and they think women are sex objects. I must tell my sisters watch out for any man that says bitch like it is a common word. They think educated women are dumb because they want sell their bodies. They think that being a pimp is the way to go. I would rather be on welfare than to have my on brother call me out of my name. Self hatred is common among pimps.
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By: John on 4/07/2008 4:06AM
I would have to say this and don't take it wrong don't judge others because they are not where you are But really Randy if he had not done what he'd done you too would be doing just as they are doing. There only by the grace of God goes I?????????????? You would be missing your opportunity to life as a human also. You would still be moving to the back of the bus along with them. And yet today you still will get disrespected by some whites for doing better than they do. I do feel it's going to take a family effort to where all black men should get tired of being sick and tired of lost effort casue actually your comment is not reaching to whom you speak of. All your comment fell on deaf ears and tomorrow they will repeat what they did yesterday.
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By: daphne on 4/07/2008 8:46AM
now at least there is good and bad that is how its supposed to be not all good so we can say there is a balanca and i like the comments by #5 they really represent since 10% of blacks can,t elect a president so you guys have really improved.
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