MLK Remembered

As you likely already know, tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King was a powerful advocate for not just civil rights, but also economic justice.  His practice of “civil disobedience,” drawn from the writings of Henry David Thoreau and adopted by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggle for independence, challenged the conscience of our nation. 

While his “I Have a Dream” speech at The March on Washington (1963) is rightfully known as a rhetorical masterpiece, a speech he gave on the night before his death is also remarkable.  Dr. King travelled to Memphis, Tennessee, to rally support for black sanitation workers who had been victimized by a racist local government.  Dr. King had long dealt with threats of violence, and a bomb threat had delayed this speech, delivered from the pulpit of the Mason Temple.  Here are his last public remarks:

“Well, I don’t know what will happen now.  We’ve got some difficult days ahead.  But it doesn’t matter with 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 with 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.”

Many people, great and anonymous, in America and around the world, were deeply touched by his death.  Here is a video tribute, set to the music of U2.

RWU Law will formally reflect on this important event in American History at the annual Diversity Symposium Dinner at the Brown Faculty Club tomorrow night.