Civil Rights Museums--Memphis, TN and Birmingham, AL

Our next couple of stops were to visit museums focused on the history of civil rights in our country. We had two places, close together, that taught us a lot about that history and importance.

The first was the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

This is where Martin Luther King, Jr was shot and killed, outside of his room, #306.

Of course, the museum went through the background of everything leading up to his death, too--history of slavery, conditions in the U.S., the Civil War and the aftermath, the treatment of blacks (especially in the south) for the next 100 years, until the Civil Rights Movement, and all that followed with that.

And then it shares the events of April 4, 1968, when Dr. King was killed.

It said online to plan for an hour and a half to go through the museum. I thought we would be longer, and we were...we were there over 3 hours. But that's because my kids want to read all they can, and share it with each other, and we get into conversations as well....and I'm grateful for that.

One of our discussions was about how segregation affects the way people think. At the time of Brown v. Board of Education, studies were cited (that had been done since the 1940's) that showed how black children would think negatively of their race, because of how they were separated and treated. The "doll test" most often showed that children (black children) believed that white was preferred, that black was inferior. That's heartbreaking. We talked about how wrong that is--that we are all children of God, and He does not put one kind of people over another--because we are all HIS.

And we need to be mindful of the opposite being communicated--that whites are bad because a number of them mistreated blacks (or other races). It is DEFINITELY wrong, but it's important to recognize the past, the wrongs, and understand who we ALL are, and move forward.

I love talking gospel truths with my children--they are good people, and I'm grateful that they can see these lessons to learn. Our identity should be first and foremost as a child of God--and that will influence how we treat others, and how we recognize wrongs when we see them.

So many great examples of people who took a stand! As we learned about the Sit-Ins, the Freedom Riders, etc....I appreciated the peaceful approach. One Montgomery Bus Boycotter declined a ride and said, "I'm not walking for myself, I'm walking for my children and grandchildren." I loved that--recognizing that change takes time, but doing something to bless the lives of those that come after them. It's courageous, and loving--toward others.

Sierra "with" Rosa Parks--

"Joining" the bus boycotters.

There was a quote there from that time, where Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Little did we know...that we were starting a movement that would gain the admiration of men of good will all over the world."

I loved how in photographs, it would show blacks and whites together, taking a stand. To me, that message emphasizes how we are ALL children of God, and we can support each other. I also think that at a time where there was so much hurt and harshness, it took courage for those white people to not just say, "well, I don't agree, but I'm safe, so I'm not going to say anything..." They stood WITH them, and voiced and showed their support, and that put them at risk. I love them all for taking a stand, peacefully!

The museum was so well done, and we enjoyed learning all we could. There was a video at the beginning that had a bit of a "tone" to it. I thought of how Pres Nelson has talked about focusing on our identity as children of God and how Pres Oaks has talked about not using any kind of label, because it separates us from each other, rather than unite. Sierra was very aware of it, surprisingly, and said to me, "I don't like how they say that--"we" and "us"...we're all together, we're all children of God." Well said, Sierra--remember that!

Listening to MLK's "I have a dream" speech--

Because the museum is built right there by the motel, it takes you to the room that MLK stayed in, when he faced his death.

Interesting to hear his speech that night, and to hear of his comments made to friends earlier. It suggests that he may have had an inkling that his time was come....

I loved these words of his:

He said that if anyone was around when it was his time to go...he wouldn't want a big eulogy, but he would hope that it would be said that he was one who gave his life serving and loving people,...that he was a 'drum major' for justice, for peace, for righteousness...

"I just want to leave a committed life behind."

He was a good man.

We had a good visit and learned a lot. The next stop was at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in, yes, Birmingham, Alabama!

We learned a lot about the history of Birmingham and the difficulties the area faced with segregation and all that led to this city being "ground zero" of the Civil Rights Movement.

Separate drinking fountains...

Separate schools (and differences in amount of funding)....

These guys LOVED playing all the samples of music by black musicians. Good stuff!

We learned about many people who had the courage fight (peacefully) to bring about change.

The museum looked out on Kelly Ingram Park, where children who were peacefully marching were attacked.

Afterwards, we crossed the street and visited the monuments. There were 1,000 children who marched downtown, wanting to stand for the end of segregation. 600 were jailed. The next day, another 1,000 went and peacefully marched. The jail cells were full so instead, violence was the response. The children faced attack dogs, high powered water hoses, and bombings.... It is tragic.

The 16th Street Baptist Church, close by, was the site of a bombing on September 15, 1963.

Four young black girls died in that bombing.

This monument is to remember them--

Heartbreaking stories. The kids and I had good talks about how whether black or white, Asian or Hispanic,....whatever....there are amazing and also terrible examples of all. Humankind. Satan sure works hard, and gets a hold on many hearts....but the Savior is the Light of the World. And there is so much good, because of Him. And we want to be that good. To follow examples of light, of people following THE Light! And we want to love others...

And well, we then met a couple of interesting people in the park we walked through. Good lessons all around for us! Proud of how my kids handle things, and SEE things!

We had another leak with the RV sink pipe...but my handy, amazing at improvising husband fixed it! And he had some helpers (who liked to try out the space without the drawers in it!).