I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. I’ve lived in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest, but Memphis will always be home. My roots are there.
My husband (of thirty-nine years) and I were living in Memphis on April 4, 1968…the day Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. We were a young couple expecting our first child living in a small apartment on Jackson Avenue. Little did we know that morning that evil lurked in the heart of a man in downtown Memphis. Like many sheltered young people, we had not seen, firsthand, such raw hatred and ugliness.
Along with the rest of the nation, we were in shock when we heard the news. We were appalled and sickened. There would be other times in years to come in this land that hatred and prejudice would show their ugly heads and lives would be ruthlessly taken, but that was later and this was here and now. I close my eyes and try to remember that week. Mostly, I remember the upheaval, the sadness…the tragedy of it all. I remember it being a time of FEAR and discord for everyone – regardless of race.
On a flight from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest a few years ago, I had an enlightening experience. I was on a small aircraft with one flight attendant and two distinct sections of the plane: first class and coach. I was in coach. She made the announcement that if we (coach) NEEDED anything to let her know, otherwise there would not be a beverage service (for us) on that flight. I was sitting on the second row of coach and had a “front row seat” for the show. She totally catered to first class…warm towels, beverages, nice snacks, etc. The lights were out in coach. The gentleman sitting across the aisle from me remarked that he had never seen this before. Neither had I and it made me mad. It hurt my feelings. The Holy Spirit used this for a teaching moment. He reminded me of all those people who had unjustly spent years at “the back of the bus” or subjected to even worse treatment. He said this is how it felt. It hit home.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day here in the United States as it is celebrated near the date of his birth (January 15). I’ve listened to several of his speeches and I am always moved. My favorite is “I Have A Dream”. I have to ask myself what I would have done if I’d been born in different circumstances.
I don’t have the answers for how to eradicate prejudice. Prejudice is everywhere and it isn’t always about race. I still have my moments, as everyone does, but I fight it. Personally, I think our Heavenly Father sees us through a very special lens…the blood of His Son. If we are believers, then we’re all the same color – whatever that is. I think it will be interesting to see when we get to Heaven…
This post was originally published in My Southern Heart.
12 Comments
Janet
Thank you for sharing those memories with us, Dianne. Your comments are very thought provoking. While some people create division by focusing on the superficial, God tells us in His word that “He has made from one blood every nation of men” (Acts 17:26) and reminds us that “the LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Sam. 16:7).
Dianne
Amen to that, Janet!
Tim Perkins
Brilliant writing. Words to live by.
Dianne
Thank you, Tim…
Carole Perkins
So true! I hate injustice of ANY kind. We’re all made in His image and should all be equal.
Dianne
I love preachin’ to the choir! I so agree, Carole!
Mel Reardon
I knew as soon as I read a post that I wanted to follow your blog regularly. This confirms it. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Dianne
Thank you so much, Mel. I’m glad you’ll be following along on this journey of mine!
Karen
A very poignant and heartfelt post, Dianne. I am sometimes amazed that there is still such a thing as prejudice and inequality. It takes a brave soul like Martin Luther King and many, many others, beginning with Jesus, to stand up against the haters. I admire these brave men and women and we owe it to their memories to keep their dreams alive. Even though we have made great strides, we still have far to go. Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts and experiences with us today! xx
Dianne
Thank you, Karen. You’re right, we do still have far to go. If we would all love as Jesus does, there would be no prejudice at all.
Kathleen
I couldn’t agree more with all you say here. Let’s hope that one day Mr King’s dream becomes a reality. I’m enjoying catching up with your blog.
Kathleen.
Dianne
Thank you, Kathleen! Thanks for the visit!