MLK's Final Stand Showed His Courage

CLEVELAND - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood at a podium in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968 and, though drained and emotional, delivered arguably his most resonant and important speech. He held no fear for anyone, and he exuded remarkable confidence in an impossibly hostile climate. Less than 24 hours later, he was gone.

But never forgotten.

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of his stunning and tragic murder on a hotel balcony. Of course, the official version of events say that James Earl Ray was King's assailant. But for two generations now, conspiracy theories  have abounded over what actually took place that evening. It's been an infuriating thing to many Americans, particularly in the black community, especially since King was the voice of reason when most things related to racial equality in the U.S. were unreasonable. Since 1955, King had been the signature figure in the Civil Rights Movement and countless times risked his life and freedom for the amelioration of his country.

That was incredible times a million.

I love King's courage and defiance during his final speech. It was largely based on his reason for being in Memphis in the first place; the Memphis Sanitation Strike. But the historic aspect of his speech came when he  acknowledged the "threats" that were being issued against him by "sick white brothers." He said a million different things in just a few dozen words as he spoke of his desire to live a long life, but realization that he may not. He declared that he just wanted to "do God's will" and that he'd "been to the mountaintop."

He instilled hope in his listeners and followers when he declared that "we as a people will get to the promised land." When he punctuated his destined-to-be-iconic speech with "mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord," he nearly collapsed with raw exhaustion and emotion into his seat a few feet behind him. Jesse Jackson was there to catch King as he was heavily applauded for what came to be his final speech.

After MLK was gunned down the following day, everything about that speech grew in importance. His intonation was booming and emphatic. His words were prophetic and transformative. In other words, King sealed his legend just as his fate was being sealed. I am grateful for the courage he displayed that night, but the courage he displayed his entire life was the most amazing of his accomplishments.

Long live the King.