MLK’s Atlanta: The Birth of a Movement
“The most hated man in America” was once a narrative assigned to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Now, without batting an eye, I can refer to his birthplace as “MLK’s Atlanta”.
His daughter (Bernice King) was not shy in recalling that fact on her recent social media posts.
She also wanted the masses to know Coretta Scott King was not merely a figure-head wife.
In a Huffington Post article, King’s daughter recalled a powerful woman who was key in establishing the great King legacy!
She bravely founded The King Center two months after her husband’s assassination.
Mrs. King worked tirelessly, among others, to ensure we would have a holiday to remember and honor.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.
I Have a Dream
Thanks to her, my employer is one of the many that observe the third Monday in January as a paid national holiday.
The day has become one synonymous with servitude.
I don’t see it as another day off!
One year, I volunteered at a local food bank (Feeding South Florida).
Another, I attended an #MLKDAY program at Chicago’s Du Sable Museum.
Despite COVID, 2021 was no different! I wanted to do something to celebrate the Dr. King holiday.
Who knew I would be turning over a can of wormy controversy?
The Cradle
Atlanta, despite being known as “the heart of the civil rights movement”, was not my first choice in a celebratory city.
I initially considered New Orleans and Chicago.
After further contemplation, Atlanta made more sense! It was closer and served as Dr. King’s cradle and grave.
I had just visited Atlanta for Christmas and knew many landmarks were closed/restricted due to COVID.
I attempted to call the various centers/park but could never get a response. I decided to go anyway.
The Watery Grave
The top choices for my weekend itinerary were the Civil Rights Museum, APEX Museum, and the MLK area.
According to Google, the first two would be closed for the holiday and I was unsure of the MLK area’s setup.
I’m happy to announce that the crypt where Mr. and Mrs. King is buried and the fountain area are all outside.
Due to COVID-19, The King Center’s website advertised a virtual program. Most celebrations countrywide followed suit.
This year’s theme was: “The Urgency of Creating the Beloved Community”.
Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children. It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.
I Have a Dream
When I visited, there was a media truck on site playing the service live.
Since I had been unsure if the MLK area was “a go”, I decided that I needed a back-up plan on that Monday.
I Googled events happening in the area.
I found an MLK race/walk and decided to sign up despite my inactive life! It was the only celebration I could find that wasn’t virtual.
This would be the 10th annual (MLK Day 5K Drum Run). Their slogan was an apt tribute, ‘Let Freedom Run‘.
From the IG page and website’s pictures, it was previously held in Downtown Atlanta.
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The 2021 race would be making its debut at Stone Mountain Park.
Though I knew it would be cold, I looked forward to returning to Stone Mountain to see its natural beauty.
During my Christmas visit, it had been transformed into a magical holiday village.
Cue “can number one…”
I don’t keep up with confederate statues locations and was blindsided by a comment on the event’s IG page.
The woman stated that she would be boycotting the event due to the park/area’s dark and racist past!
She felt like the event was in conflict with principles Dr. King stood for.
This was shock and news to me since I had just spent Christmas there.
I briefly recall a stirring around removing controversial figures in Atlanta but I did not make the connection.
Dichotomy
I consulted my bestie (Google) for enligtenment. My research proved to be quite disturbing.
Stone Mountain was considered sacred KKK ground. The largest monument to the confederacy displayed their founding fathers carved into the mountain.
To this day, Georgia law forbids its removal or alteration.
After much protest, officials offered to put a bell atop the mountain in reference to the quote below, but the homage to White supremacy remained.
But not only that, let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
I Have a Dream
I had to dig deep within to see how these factors would affect my celebration. I had to ask myself, what would Dr. King do?
Yes, boycotting was part of his non-violent protest. But I decided to use another of his effectively popular methods: marching.
This one would be personal and silent. My participation in the walk that day was a prophetic gesture.
We often heard Dr. King’s fiery preaching, but I took on the spirit of the quieter intercessor behind closed doors.
If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
I believe like the Biblical city of Jericho, all walls that block the radiant light of justice, will eventually fall.
I just hope I can be a witness.
I’ll be on the first flight to Atlanta (with bells on)!
Post self-reflection, I ran into a glitch in registering for the race but was finally able to get instructions to do it in person.
The Endurer Wins the Race
I was excited about being around like-minded individuals who shared Dr. King’s philosophies. After all of the heaviness of 2020, I looked forward to the breaths of fresh air.
The race was described as having local school marching bands as it’s soundtrack.
This idea took me back to my high school days. Our band was top notch and far superior to other local schools.
I figured I could use some music as motivation.
Once I arrived I didn’t see any of the Black band students pictured in the old races. I wonder if they’d decided to boycott?
COVID, maybe?
The flyer advertised 10 local high schools but I saw about 2 schools with predominately White students, a White band, and A Black band organization of older adults.
There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
I Have a Dream
To each it’s own, but I always weigh both sides and pause before I do any boycotts.
This was my first 5K and I enjoyed the fast paced walk through nature. I had a few health issues in 2020, so I was so proud of my effort.
I finished walking in 45 mins. No Sweat. Easier than expected!
When I first arrived, my fingers were freezing from removing gloves for pictures.
By the 9 am start time, the temps had warmed up comfortably.
There were two fire pits burning logs. This was so different than anything this Miami girl had experienced.
It was a mix crowd of all ages and nationalities…Dr. King would be smiling.
The race was broken down into runners and walkers. The fastest estimated finish times would be grouped first.
Stone Mountain waived parking and entrance costs.
My $35 registration fee covered my t-shirt and race bib.I felt so official when I pinned the number to my tights.
APEX (African-American Panoramic Experience) Museum
In researching MLK events, I came across APEX Museum.
I was intrigued by a review on their website which stated they focused on African history and not just post-slavery history.
“Sits at the gateway of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park”. The building was also the former headquarters of the Southern Leadership Conference.
It is the oldest Black history museum in Georgia. The founder is Dan Moore Sr.
When I walked through the dimly lit doors, a short movie was playing in an open seated area.
I loved the African dialects incorporated into the narration by the late legends Cicely Tyson and Ossie Davis.
The movie gives a brief history of the financial wealth of Auburn Avenue and colonization in Africa.
I was most moved by the replicas of an African slave ship with rotting Black bodies.
It told the gruesome tale of suffering, death, and abuse that was common on these hellish voyages to the Americas. Right before it stood “The door of no return”.
I took a moment in attempting to imagine the utter devastation and trauma.
Two signs entitled “Forced Dancing” & “Jumping Overboard” were fixed to the wooden boards.
One section of the ship was untitled but it was obviously one of “sexual” force.
Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.
I Have a Dream
On a lighter note and in a much brighter hallway, were notable inventions by Black people. Many were barely given credit for so many essential items that are in use today.
I don’t want to give too much away.
APEX is small, intimate, and well worth the $7 donation.
*APEX Museum has a limited metered parking lot.
Dreaming of Community
The King Center (gift shop), new Ebenezer Baptist Church, eternal flame, memorial crypt, and fountains are on the same grounds.
In walking distance, down the avenue, is his birth home.
The gift shop was the only open indoor space.
It was winter so the Rose Garden was not in bloom. There were still stirring words of children planted in the soil.
“Free”dom
I think Dr. King would be proud to have a center that was free of charge. Even the parking is free.
I crossed the street on Auburn Ave. to the original Ebenezer Baptist Church. I took the obligatory selfie with the famous sign at my back.
The line to get a picture in front of Dr. King’s birth home was long, but I was walking in the footsteps of a king.
Distance and time were nonexistent.
A bouquet of roses laid on the top steps leading to the porch.
Though a park ranger stood guard, tours of the home were postponed due to COVID.
Once the nice strangers behind me took my pictures, I walked to the back of a home to capture a rarely seen view.
Across the street model shot-gun homes lined the street.
It brings tears to my eyes as I write.
Everywhere I went on Jan 18, 2021, there was a melting pot of creeds and races with a common goal of unity.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I Have a Dream
Behold the Dream
The dream is still manifestesting.
It was unmistakable in the two guys ahead of me who spoke broken English.
Then there was the Jewish family taking a picture of their son next to the jet black statue of Kunta Kinte.
That monument was a delightful surprise! ‘Behold’, indeed!
Kunta Kinte is the fictional main character of the ‘Roots’ series by Alex Haley.
He is seen raising a child to the heavens in dedication.
The theme of spiritual baptism is quite evident from the watery grave where the royals are buried.
As I tried to soak evertything in, I thought I had left the weekend’s controversy at Stone Mountain.
I should have known better!
Civil Rights Walk of Fame
If you don’t look down, you can almost miss the steps carved into the entrance.
The greats like John Lewis and Thurgood Marshall, are etched into the grounds like stony seeds.
Where these end, stands a lone bronzed sandaled figure with a walking stick in hand. There’s a tangible purpose in the still posture.
The statue is of none other than Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr. King was a loyal supporter of his stance on non-violent social justice. It made my heart smile that such a huge tribute would be paid to a person who wasn’t Black.
Later, my old faithful bestie would reveal a young Gandhi’s racist words. In old age, his sometimes controversial views on celibacy.
I love when I can learn while traveling! Its my ultimate adventure!
I even came across an old petition to have the statue removed.
Sounds familiar?
How could Dr. King support someone previously considered intolerant and look to him as a mentor of sorts?
Like me donning my spandex Victoria’s Secret tights on that frigid Atlanta morning, I would like to believe He found the good!
Neither Dr. King nor Gandhi was exempt from criticism or character flaws. He chose to take on the teachings of an imperfect man.
Haven’t we all?
Here on my Instagram, I reflect at the crypt where The Kings are laying in repose.
Check out my blog when I visited the Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, D.C.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
I Have a Dream
Both images below are in Downtown Atlanta. I had to drive by and take a picture since all state capitols were heavily guarded due to recent riots.
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~Poof…Bee Gone
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2 Comments
arlef
May 16, 2021 at 1:19 pmThis gave me additional insight about Martin Luther King, Jr.
poofbeegone
June 28, 2021 at 6:57 pmHi Arlef, happy to help!!! 🙂