Tayari's Blog: HAPPY MLK DAY

Posted by TayariJones on January 21, 2008 07:26 AM
Filed under Current Events

I am on the road still, so I couldn't prepare a new post for King day, but you are welcome to revisit the essay I wrote last year called "Walking in Memphis." It's about visiting the Lorraine Hotel, the site of Dr. King's assassination.

At the very end of the exhibit was rooms 306-307, where Dr. King had stayed in on the last day of his life. The curators took care to recreate the atmosphere. There was a coffee cup half-full, an unmade bed and other personal touches that made it seem like Dr. King, Andy Young, Jessee Jackson, et al had just been in here making plans. When I crossed the threshold of the room, I tripped a switch that caused Mahalia Jackson to sing "Amazing Grace." I felt it all over my body. I closed my eyes for a moment and took a careful breath before looking out onto the balcony.

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