Deeply Moved in Memphis: The Lorraine Motel

Last Monday was Martin Luther King Day.

I'm not a real big holiday person. If it weren't for my family, even Christmas and Resurrection Day wouldn't be too much different for me than any other day, even though I am deeply moved by the meaning behind all such days (see Romans 14:5).

I must tell you, however, that last Thursday was quite a moving day for me. I was in Memphis, TN to visit with a brother in Christ, who suggested that we take a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was shot.

I'm so glad he did.

There is probably no place anywhere that better documents the struggle for basic human dignity by African-Americans. I was particularly moved as we boarded an old Montgomery, AL bus just like the one in which Rosa Parks was arrested for not surrendering her seat to a white person. Like all great museums, there was film, artifacts, photos, audio narration, and so much more. I stood at the door that MLK opened just before being shot. No one is permitted to stand on the actual balcony where he stood when James Earl Ray shot him to death.

Yes, we drove by Graceland, Sun Studio and other such legendary places, but I'm so, so glad that we spent our time wisely with two hours in the National Civil Rights Museum.

I cannot recommend it more highly.