CCC FORUMS

rbushey · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject: National Civil Rights Museum

Last weekend, during our national observance of the birthday of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I had the amazing opportunity to visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The museum is located on the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was staying when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Dr. King had arrived in Memphis the day before to support a strike by local sanitation workers and had delivered his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech where he said,
"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 so 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!"

The National Civil Rights Museum is a very moving experience, especially for all who believe in the continuing struggle for equity among all peoples. The gallery traces the movement of resistance from the beginning of the slave trade to the recent past. Visit the museum website for more information at www.civilrightsmuseum.org

My call to continue to speak for justice where voices are silenced by oppression was renewed as I stood near the balcony where Dr. King was struck down by his assassins bullet, before I was even born. I felt a deepening of my passion to continue the work of the dream that one day we will celebrate the beautiful diversity of God's good creation without fear and hatred - prejudice and racism!

It poured rain in Memphis on Monday when the annual parade of marchers commemorated and celebrated the living legacy of Dr. King. How appropriate that the skies would cry on the day many gathered to celebrate, when instead of peace we practice violence (Memphis was already reporting their 12th murder of 2007) and as a nation send thousands of young soldiers to war! The mountains of injustice and violence are steep and treacherous, jagged and rough - but the mountain of the Lord is higher and brighter and will show us the way to a world full of abundant life and just relationships that will set us all free.
_________________
Peace & Joy,
Robert Bushey, Jr.
Minister
For Children Youth & Families
Central Christian Church
650 W. William St.
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 428-4336