Transcripts For CSPAN3 Martin 20240703

And thank you, everyone for joining us today as we commemorate 56 years since dr. Martin luther king juniors assassination at the Lorraine Motel in 1968, dr. King traveled to memphis, tennessee, to support striking sanitation workers as they demanded their civil and human rights. Its been the National Civil rights long standing to honor and preserve the legacy of dr. King. As we chronicle the American Civil Rights movement and tell the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights here at the museum, we educate and serve as a catalyst to inspire action, to create positive social change. Im reminded of what king stood for. He said, yes, if you want to say what i that. I was a drum major, say that i a drum major for justice. Say that i was a drum major for peace. It was a drum major. I was drum major for righteousness and all the shallow things will not matter how dr. Kings legacy urges all of us to to push the arc of the moral universe, to build clearly and directly towards justice justice. We are honored to have some very special guests joining us today. All of them justice fighters in their own right. Please join me in welcoming memphis mayor paul young and tennessees. So honored to be mayor paul young and honored to be here 56 years later. Dr. Kings words are still some of the most powerful words ever spoken. In 1967, dr. King said these words. He said i say to myself that is too great a burden to bear he said, i have decided to stick, to love for i know that love is. Ultimately, the only answer to mankinds problems and i think this is the Perfect Moment in memphis history for us to all remember and embrace those words as the largest majority black city in the nation nation actually. And this is the time for us to speak. Love and life, entire community. Yes. And i and i firmly believe that we have to be the ones to lead this national discussion. Weve got to learn to stop the hate fueled and negative narrative collectively and as strong, united community. Were going to have to fight the urge, speak, heal, and instead use voices to uplift our city and our people. We must recognize that dr. Kings words are true, as they were then. They are such as our truth today, as they were back then. In 1967, dr. King said this. He said, you may the eloquence of articulate speech, but if you have not love, it means nothing. And i want all of us to really hear that. Let us use our our eloquence and our collective voices to share the memphis narrative that we want the world to know the largest black city in america, also the most innovative it is the most welcoming and the most talented city in america that is the problem. In essence, with all of the positives that it naturally embodies. Lets lean into the culture. Lets lean into the innovation lets lean into the talent. And most importantly, lets lean into the law. Thank you all so much. Have to bring the mic down just a little bit. Ella, everyone, my name is ramesh and i have the privilege to serve the Senate Minority leader here in the state of tennessee. I represent, memphis and shelby county. And this is my 11th year in the general assembly. So people ask me, why are you still there . And i ask myself the same question and i feel that up on my head. It certainly is and for the salary in there, i just but ill tell you why now. Because one of my favorite quotes from dr. King lifes most persistent, urgent question is what, are you doing for others . And so in my position as a state senator, i try and focus on issues that affect our community from poverty to every child, getting a Great Public School to getting some of these guns off our streets. People want look downstream and complain about the problem. And, you know, they act like this is a big man. But quite frankly, the problems are created in and they trickle down to the problem. And dr. King, i want you guys to just dont hope you have people fighting for you. We might be outnumbered, but you even with outnumbered, what do you call it . The line. And we happy. We are happy. And we will not give up in the spirit, dr. King. We will never yield. I may have tried to kill the dream. They killed the dreamer. But they did not kill the dream. And he lives on in our legacy. We sit in those chambers that were not designed. People like us, when we hold positions that have never been held before, we are inching away and breaking more and more glass to realize dr. Kings dream. So lets stick together we are memphis and memphis is us. And dont let anybody tell us who we are, what we are, and what we can do. Because at the end the day, we are a beautiful city on the mississippi river. Yeah, home of the blues or. A place of rock and roll. We have eclectic mix of people from black, brown, yellow, persian blue origin. I mean, what is okay i just know we are the greatest city. We the greatest city in tennessee and we are because of our people and our legacy. Dont hope, dont lose faith. We march on. Thank you all. In celebration of our youth the winners of the i am a man portrait will perform these students will be presented by miss sharon widmer, president of memphis lakes, inc. Memphis chapter. Please welcome. Now they. Good afternoon. Im sharon, president of the memphis tennessee chapter of the lynx inc. Im bringing you great hands on behalf of 60 amazing and talented leaders in the city, including our program director, amanda morris, our at art fassett members sandra morris, Pamela Randall and adrian and connie dyson and with the memphis, tennessee chapter stand. Its been a collective effort and thank you for all your assistance to get us to stay. Were so patient and have quite a presence. The king family today, the memphis, tennessee chapter. Philips is proud, very proud to have with the National Civil Rights Museum, tens the next generation to commemorate the life and legacy of dr. Martin luther king. For 71 years, our chapter has been serving the Memphis Community to support worthwhile projects that enhance the quality of life in this city. We honored to make history again today. Today, for the first time in this language space, the focus is on young people. They will commemorate dr. Martin luther life and legacy and their in their words and in their own way. It is befitting that young people be the ones to celebrate our history and our future is in their care. The spoken competition was made possible through the support of the fedex freight and Baptist Memorial Health care. Congratulate scholars april 4th will always heartfelt and we are thrilled, thrilled and to share these young peoples perspective of what it means to them. Thank you. Mark. That member, Adrian Arundell introduced our winners. And the National Civil Rights Museum and memphis, tennessee chapter of the Links Incorporated are pleased to present the i am the legacy poetry and spoken word competition in winners. Katelyn shaw is our third winner, caitlin in the southport Little College high school. Her work is inspired by her mother, who had the gift for turning everyday observations. Shared wisdom came wants to become a civil rights attorney and aspires to achieve a platform. She continued. In a just world with freedom and equality, listening to its veins where we all must be very smart, 1853 the day we were all announced free yet dr. Still had to fight for me. My ancestors gain control of their body, but our minds, goals and rights are still not to be on free medicine. However, we are not just a History Lesson taught by someone that looks nothing like dr. King. Malcolm, with the sign of support, showed me. Now its time for everyone to receive a of me to better our nation for this generation and the ones to come after me. I believe the legacy is not only inside of me, but in everyone fearlessly like me. Oh, to in a just world with freedom and equality for you and for me and the legacy. Layla smith as our second place winner, a at Middle College high school, layla is committed to building a Success School career that reflects her primary family kindness and grace. She uses voice to make a positive impact wherever she can with passion, creativity and faith. Freedom, freedom. What do you mean . Is it just a word or feeling unseen . Is it in the wind, in hair . As we run wild and free . Or is it in the chains that bind us, that we struggle, break free, freedom, they say, is a birthright, we claim. But for many its a dream. A flickering flame in the hearts of the oppressed its a battle cry, a call to arms, the kids reaching the sky. This oh, justice, where do you in the shadows of injustice do you finally comply . You are the scales balancing right and wrong in a world where the lines blur, where the weak is too strong, you are the voice of the voiceless is your truth speak, but justice is not, as they often say. It sees the pain and suffering in day by day here we in the wake of a dreamer vision, dr. King, his word carved into the soul, our nation, a legacy of love and justice. He spoke of dreams. I have a dream for Martin Luther. His legacy lives his dream our, dream a world free from hate. A world where all are equal. But lets not forget the struggle, the sacrifice made, the last life for every we made there were those who found their name engraved in history. As for me, i am legacy. Carrying. Lauren was our first place when her darian as a Middle College High School Sophomore who challenges herself through an expanding love in words and literature. Darian plans to join her familys business well as continue that entrepreneurial spirit through work as a photographer shes immensely grateful to her who have nurtured creativity and encouraged her to use her voice. Yes, that thing your mom had left us. The thing that leaves a bitter taste on a mans tongue, that hope for a better future, the hope for an attainable future. She had the dream and we had that moment, though, when his eyes closed would open into our utopian black dream of equality. Yet almost 50 years later, white women still clutch their purses, and black men still a threat. Is this what we deserve . Are we not the people the constitution was talking about . Are we not human . Do we not matter . We risk so much. But how far . I havent really gone. I want to tell my kids the story of our of our fight for freedom. But the same stories i have are the stories that make them feel their power. The same stories, the same power they have to overcome and make a change is the same power that makes them dangerous. That same power that put the struggle ahead of them. We can say all day long, we can rave about how far weve come, but really compared to how far we are running, what have we done . What can we do to empower our people to give them that strength, that fire that is repeatedly snuffed out a soul, a milk doesnt come often, that spark doesnt ignite. But once in a while. But even when that fire blown out, that smoke covers us all like a blanket. We feel that we breathe it in. So whats the thing . Mlk left us. He left with a duty, a purpose. He cleared the road, and now we have to walk it. Then i think he left us. He gave us our mission. But whos going to be like the torch and . Hold it. Proud me. I am his legacy. Thank you for walking off being the i am the legacy speaker. Congratulations. Andre waters. He is a social justice act and president of the drum major institute. She is champion civil nonviolent, antihate and social change initiatives throughout her life. Designing programs to advance understanding and activism. She has a strong of youth activism and believes in helping young people. Take a peaceful, effective stand for the world issues that concern the most. As president of drum major institute, she plays a Critical Role in creating Strategic Partnership efforts. She also manages daily of this actors justice organization. Were thankful to have us, reverend dr. Wells sanders, who would deliver the message. Reverend dr. Is the rector of Saint Georges Episcopal Church in germantown, tennessee, where she has served years. She has recently been the 11 bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of mississippi. Dr. Wells coordination is scheduled for july of 24. Dr. Wells holds degrees from Rhodes University of memphis Memphis Theological Seminary and Candler School theology at emory university. She is a former practitioner and practicing attorney in memphis and has served on the board of directors for metropolitan Interfaith Association Church Health center room in the in memphis and the Community Alliance for the homeless. She is a published offer. Her essays can be in several publications, including the Christian Century church, a and the anglican digest. After a selection from the crown slingers and hearing from ms. King, the voice after that you will hear will be reverend dr. Rev dorothy wells. Is this. Is. All. God. She. Will not. Oh, oh. Oh, lets dance. Oh. Thats oh. Its been. So. Oh oh, yeah, so. You. Oh, oh. Well, thank god. Yes. Oh, so. Get. This. Oh, so i. It. Sounds like my mind that god. Is really. I will. Thank. You. Oh, i. Go oh man to. My. Oh yeah. Oh oh. Yes. Oh, oh im going to get that. Oh. Im gonna get high. So now. Now andre he. Good afternoon. Here comes that dream or they said come lets lay him and then we shall. What the concept of his dream dream on. Fourth 1968 in rome. 306 Martin Luther king, june year ended his earthly journey and on that day Coretta Scott king. Instantly became a single mother to four young children. And four young children, went to bed at night without the comfort of their father and years later, a little was born in atlanta that would never know the comfort of sitting on her grandfathers lap, hearing bad times for his. And so here we are today and some ways it seems even farther from that dream. But what we as family and why we decided to be here today as difficult as it is for us to stand here is that there is something that man cannot ever destroy. And that love and that faith and that vision that lived inside of Martin Luther king junior. Now lives inside each and every one of us because all those the dreamer who lost his life gave and sacrificed for each and every one of us standing here today, the dreamer was silenced. But the dream was not. We are here today to remind america. That the dream is alive. That love is alive that hope is alive. Were here to remind america that, no matter how difficult the days are, how dark it may seem, those still ring true that Martin Luther king junior reminded all of us on april 3rd,. 1968. He did not make it all the way to the mountaintop, but he ignited in each one of us a vision and a dream. And now, in 2024, it is up to each one of us to our part, our vision in making the community a reality for all of gods children. So we want to thank the National Civil Rights Museum for the work that they do every day at a time when history is being taken from our children, they are here to. Remind us of our history because history is not about collective guilt, it is about collective response, ability. At a time when our daughter, dr. Kings only at age of 16, never got chance to hug her grandfather, never got a chance to sit on his lap. And all of the sad that he made she and her peers are now sitting and living with fewer rights than the day that they were born. We are here today because we are strong people. We are mighty people and we are here to remind america that we will continue to stand until all of the triple evils of racism and bigotry and poverty and violence are a thing of the past. And until peace and justice and equity truly rolls down in righteousness, every hilltop, every mountaintop every place in these United States of america, were here to. Remind america that we are united not by hate, not by division, but by love. One People United under god. Thank you very. Please, reverend dr. Dorothy sanders. Well. Thank you very. It is such an honor for me to be with you today. In his. 67 book where do we go from here chaos or community. Reverend dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Used images that are highly relatable to us in our modern time to speak to powerful connection between. All the human lives, that connection which should propelling us forward into collaborative and cooperative that seek uplift all. Dr. King wrote all men are interdependent. Every nation is an air of a vast treasury, of ideas and of labor. To which both the living and dead of all nations have contributed, whether we realize it or not each of us lives eternally in the red. We are everlasting debtors to known and unknown men and women. When we arise in the morning we go into the bathroom where we reach a sponge. And its been provided to us by a Pacific Island where we reach for soap that has been created for us by a european. And then at the table we drink coffee, which has come to us from a south american or tea from china or cocoa from the west. Before we leave for jobs, we are already beholden to more than half the world. Dr. King wrote these words decades before the words Global Economy became part of our national parlance. He understood concept of the connection between of humanity and our vocation and being not because he was an economist, but rather because he was a pastor. And as dr. King pastor, that i a pastor want to stop and remember and celebrate this day day our word pastor connotes a shepherd, one who cares for. And with guiding and a prophetic advises and counsels in a faith community. And dr. King embodied all of those traits. It was through his pastors. That is the way he saw the world, that he knew that all humanity had been made in the image and likeness of our god. Were taught that, and that applies. Were talking about our flaws, our tremendous gifts. Theyre all the things we contribute to the world in which we live. It was with a pastors of justice that dr. King implored us to the commandments that have been to us by our creator so all would be well with us to love god, to be truthful in all of our dealings to issue violence. He urged us be people who, in the words of the prophet, do justice, love, kindness and walk humbly with our god. And he dared to dream of a world in which all of our children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of the character, which is the essence of our creative being. It was with a pastor prophetic voice that king wrote from affirming jail cell with a sense of urgency and imperative of living together in unity and without discord and enmity. He wrote, much as paul wrote from a roman prison to the church in ephesus and canaan and philip ii and to the letter to finally in. He shared that clergy in birmingham who suggested that perhaps his efforts toward nonviolent desegregate action sought too too quickly. And he said, we must come to see that Human Progress never rolls in the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men who want to be coworkers with god and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnant stagnation. It was through a pastors deep listening that dr. King heard the command from god that we were to love the most vulnerable in our community, us. We were to love the widow, the orphan, the foreigner. Those persons in the ancient world who were almost to become empower, rushed and without resources. As dr. King, his attention to poverty among persons. In the later years of his life announcing a Poor Peoples Campaign at a staff retreat for the southern Leadership Conference in. November 1967, because he recognized that if unabated, poverty would continue to cripple our cities, states, our nation, education, jobs, fair, livable wages were essential to true freedom and the realization of a just society. But he was a pastors. That brought dr. King to memphis in. April 1968. His second visit to memphis year, where he came to shine light on the plight of poor black sanitation workers. Indeed, and the plight these striking workers drew him to support in their quest for three simple things for which they had originally asked a place to use the restroom in the city where segregated facilities were not available. Them during the course of the. A place to shower at the end of the day to wash away the stench filth of garbage and a way to be able to perform routine maintenance on the trucks so that they could be paid on rainy days when they could collect the garbage. It was with a pastors heart that dr. King spoke at mason temple on the night of april third 1968, about our collective need to support not only workers, but all persons who struggled invisibly in poverty in magnificent retelling of the parable of the samaritan, who stopped to aid to an injured man on the side of a busy and dangerous road between jerusalem jericho. Dr. King invited us to consider whether holy men who walked past that injured man may have had all kinds preoccupations or appointments or fears the unknown. Should they stop . And he invited us to look at new at this foreigner, the who stopped and cared for the injured man. Used his own resources to provide for him. And did not leave him until he was ensured that he would be cared for. Dr. King us to reorder the that we ask in our own about how we care for our neighbors. Rather than asking first how we might be delayed or inconvenienced or worse put at risk because we have put that first. Dr. King us to ask ourselves a very different question. What happens to the neighbor if we stop to help help . Over the course the years, we may have seen answers some of these questions about happens if we order our questions in the wrong way. If continue to under. Invest in education. Should we ensure children will grow up with insufficient skills for the jobs that are needed to be filled in our communities our communities will suffer if we continue to under invest in our infrastructure. We ensure that most necessary resources will not be available to us when we need them and our communities will suffer if continue to under invest in our forgotten neighborhoods, we ensure that those neighborhoods will never live their full potential. In helping support our community as a whole with driving affordable and a stable tax base, we ensure that neighborhoods continue to be food deserts. Health care deserts and resource deserts literally suffocate, heating the life from citizens. And we all suffer if we continue to underinvested in community health. We ensure a populist with chronically ill persons who cannot live in to their full healthy potential and whose ongoing need for care. Perilous stretches in our communities. Medical resources. As we suffer. We are all affected by our choices and decisions. Those choices and decision have far reaching conflict concerns. And we sometimes forget that when any of our neighbors left suffering, we all suffer. We gather today, 56 years after attempt was made to silence one great pastors voice. His voice was not silenced. His voice on in his sermons and his letters and his books in us. And his voice calls us to live as the prophets. Micah and amos inspire wired our ancestors. Thousands of years ago to live as people who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our god. Until day, the justice does roll down like waters and righteousness like mighty stream. Then and only then we will know that we have chosen a lifespan of loving neighbor as ourself. And we will have chosen well. Thank good. Ladies and gentlemen, once again, gentlemen. Thomas. If i could throw body as high and no. If i can cheer or so. And when all shall. Have attention so. Be clear. Traveling. Well. Oh. That in the shadow me that. Yes i can do. You and thats. Not what if i cant. Maintain to. Right . Oh no. Not just at. Message. I have some pastor talk. Oh then i never shall not invite. That. I said be. Shall not be. And i can. Be and like i was a no oh oh then my let me share with. Three. Oh. Good afternoon and welcome to everyone here, the National Civil Rights Museum and those participating virtually each year. The brothers Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity incorporate perform a wreath laying ceremony on april four to honor and to commemorate the life of our dear brother and a great man, dr. Martin luther king, junior. His life inspired many, especially Youth College students and, young adults that kings moment movement, his words and life example provide encouragement that could change the direction of our country. And today, in this moment, in this moment, we hope and pray that these beliefs continue to go for our living will not be in vain. We present this week, in honor of our brother Martin Luther king jr here in front of the balcony, the place where he was killed transcended to eternal home. 56 years ago. We as alumni brothers are joined with college for others to perform this wreath laying ceremony dr. King, the man showed us that it takes women and men, both young and old, working together to effect to create a movement that will change our as we place wreath, we will take a moment to pause and reflect the life of dr. King. Also, we should think about and be challenged by the question he raised. Where do we go from here . Chaos or community . We will now share it. Let me remembrance of dr. King, the man the movement, the moment we are here today to remember and commemorate the life of a great man. And the other day. Dr. King started the change in our nation of our country. And remember. This moment today we reflect on why dr. King came to me is to find more cost in electricity. His and undying spirit in his for. All of us. We place a wreath on this sacred as a symbolic reminder that we are a better People Living in a better world. Because dr. King, our fraternity brother, lived among us and for us to grow and, grow, thats all served. By brothers. Lets pray together as we lay this all a true spirit of church. God guide us all our lives so service to all. Hes the oldest of, the late dr. Martin Luther King Jr and mrs. Coretta scott king. He is luther king, the third, a civil rights advocate and global humanitarian focused on addressing the most pressing social justice issues of today today. Hes also amplifying his fathers now. Martin luther king two third has devoted his life to promoting Global Human Rights and eradicating racism, violence and poverty, earning a reputation as a respected International Statesman and one of the worlds most passionate advocates. And and as chairman of the drum major institute, a nonprofit rooted in his fathers work over 60 years ago, he collaborates closely. His wife, arndrea waters king, and daughter Yolanda Renee king, to dr. Kings vision of a more just, equitable world. Founded in 61, the organization focuses on continuing the king legacy through education and action. Engaged met with World Leaders in collaboration with social fully conscious organizations. The national Rights Museum is honored to have Martin Luther king, the with us today to deliver the keynote address. Thank you so much. An introduction and i thank National Civil Rights Museum. To all religious leaders that are here today today. All elected officials mr. Mayor to your lovely wife to state representatives senators to. Community leaders, to Business Leaders to visitors whove come to this city for this moment this time, and perhaps most of all, to the children. Because a nation is judged by how it treats its most precious resource. And that would be our children. Let me also thank my alpha brothers. For, in a real sense, we all owe a great deal of gratitude to fraternity phi alpha one because in washington, d. C. , our nations capital. In the midst of memorials to war and president s, theres only one memorial that is dedicated to peace and justice and. And that memorial was pulled together, certainly by a lot of people. A lot of corporations. But it is my Fraternity Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha. And so we all hold greek debt of gratitude because when anyone comes from anywhere in the world to the United States, on the mall, theres now a memorial dedicated peace. I want to do my best to remain as composed. I can this afternoon. Because this is a challenge to stand here at the spot that my father walked out of the room behind me. And lost his life. My life and my mothers life and the lives of my siblings were changed forever. Because. The loss of a parent. Can be transforming transforming. But the fact of the matter at the tender age, ten years old. I didnt get to have a dont with my father. He did. All right. He did not see me graduate from high school or from his beloved morehouse college. He didnt get to meet my wife and our daughter. And so many other things. But a great sacrifice occurred for many years. I used to wonder what is wrong with this society that chooses to remove someone who was only promoting love and . I remember my father saying, you know, this was back in the middle sixties. Every day wed see something on the news that was unimaginable. And hed say, this is the second nation. And when you are sick first happening now that youre sick before medication can be administered to help, correct the ills. Now, you know what we see today is sickness reflected over and over 56 years later. And i reflect because my dad was killed this day. This is the first 56 years ago on this day at 6 01 p. M. , just. 30 or so minutes from now now. But we lost our father and my wife, her husband. But i believe our nation grief and understanding of our mission and a movement. However, we hadnt learned yet. Because. They had told us we must nonviolence or we may face no nonexistence. Some in our society are moving in that direction. And the question is what are we going to do . This is not its not about or im saying what is what we do to advance the day when his dream can become real for all humankind. What he and my mother taught taught was that it only takes a few good human brains to bring change. Yes, there was the great march on washington, where over 250,000 people gathered for him to share his dream. And i might add add, i have heard the i have a dream speech. Thousands of times, but ive only listened hundreds. You may say, what do you mean by that, brother king . You see, we listen with our ears. But we hear with our heart. And if we can get people to open their hearts and hear not just that message, but embrace and engage and make it happen, we have a better nation and a better world for generations unborn as we here this afternoon. And im often asked what your father be doing, and my answer is that had my father lived, we would be on a totally different chapter. So we may have some issues to address, but would be the these have been repetitive. We keep going around and around and thats so important. Thats why its critical to make sure we teach history we call ourselves a democracy we dont operate in a democratic way feeling. How do you allow in a nation its supposed be democratic the fact that we have lost total civility in the political space and it is elevated a hatred and a hostility and a hurt that is unacceptable. It is inhumane today. In our world. There are over 33 wars going on, not just israelis, palestinians, not just russians and ukrainians in the congo, in the sudan. And because apc cbs and nbc and so some media had told you, we dont know that. So its a kind of like this. And im not going to be alone because we getting close to six on, one in. Im not how i want to respond at that point. But what i wanted to come and say as my wife is already enumerated so so beautifully that that this nation must come together to to live out the true promises of who it says that is. I remember dancing and be true to what you see today. And yet theyre glaring contradictions that occur each and every day. How do need to enumerate all the issues because we should all it. But i will say in the United States of america which we call ourselves oh, and by the way, we do not exemplify that we could win right now we are not the United States of america. You know, its just really perplexing to me how we can money to fight wars. No matter where they are, always find money for ammunitions. But we cant provide clean water for people in the United States. Whatever war here, we cant. You know, it used to to it because we dont send people to the front line to back something that we are not exhibiting kind of behavior that we should, again, in the United States, everybody should be able to have a decent job this is the largest economy planet earth truly in some dollars. And we have audacity to have who people and is because we have not focused to address a Strategic Plan can address it. I dont mean just giving a person a fish. Yes, some of that we have to do. But we can create a Community Time so that people can take care of themselves and their families and everybody in america. If you can. A decent job, decent everybody should be able to have a decent a decent home, could be the circumference of a little bit further than this little space right here doesnt have to be a 10,000 square foot home some at that but a decent home in the United States. We should be embarrassed as a nation that we still have levels of poverty every one should be able to have the best education that some schools have good and great educations and just being inferior. So. Everyone should be able to have health care. Greatest health care plan, greatest health systems, great technology. I hear, but yet people cant afford to pay for probably shouldnt be paying for it anyway. Theres a lot of ways to do. It. Everyone should be would have justice. We have a criminal system. Its not a criminal justice. Criminal system that targets the least of these poor for jails. A few black. 67 80 not just in shelby county, by the way, but all over america, latino and hispanic brothers and sisters and poor white from red. So unless we demand the system work so everyone has a fair opportunity to be treated with dignity and respect. By the way, all what were for today came to fruition because of the miss treatment of sanitation workers walked picket who were working full time hours for less than part time pay. We owe those families a debt of. Yeah when dad and chose to engage with his voice in this unjust set of circumstances. So take a look at what corporate are making and how they pay continuously. The masses people they cant hardly make it. Our food prices going up instead of going down. All right, gary, i was talking to my sister here. So, you know, when the price of aids were things of supply and demand, i and what went up is significant, but there were no more like there was a shortage of chickens. So its greed. We are. With this greedy complex, you know, im not suggesting everyone has to do this, but i was in an office one day, one of my fathers lieutenants, he had a picture of dan behind him, and he said, this man, and ill tell you a name, but no, many of you would know this name. And thats joseph williams. And he was sitting in his office and in tears, and he said this, man, he did a number of things he couldnt live the love of wealth and the fear of death. I think about that when you are not concerned. So and so consuming and concerned about, well, and you are afraid to die, you are virtually unstoppable your for that is what martin king junior represented. He was focused. He and his team were strategic and he did all in love. There was always room for people to dialog in a civil way, and he go, castle you because you had a different position you know, you dont like what people are saying. We just counsel now thats very unfortunate that were at that juncture in this this nation we call home. That also is called the United States america, but yet not united. Now, i want to leave you with a challenge, because i hope that we want to create a nation that delivers for our children that delivers for our seniors, that delivers for our veterans. Im im of not what war but also the fight for country. They should lifted up not mistreated dying on the streets. So our children must be taking care of our seniors must be our veterans must be those of us who are in between. Got to figure out how to make it. You see dad. That is to mother and her team and many others have shown us how to make america what it ought to be and never used and talked about americas great or the phrase great again because at first you just dont know when that period. Not for the indigenous population that was here or any of us when this america, the great doesnt mean we cant become. One we just not there yet. Okay so then talked about the america that should be and could be and. He did all that he could for his short life. In a short life. 39 years to create climate for that to happen. So i ask you as i get ready to close are you want are you going to be like the moment or a thermostat. He would say look at that analogy thermometer is a great device. It basically record to jupiter if this you know 78 will see 70. If its 30, ill say 30. But thats all does all day long is record the temperature is another device call a thermostat and it read you let the temperature so it lives we must decide well we just go record go home to get along or whether we create the planet for and justice and righteousness and peace we as human beings to do that history shown us that time him here. So its not where you stand in times of comfort and convenience dad will see but is where you stand in times of challenge and controversy. On some questions, he the coward position is it safe experience . He says. Is it political . Then its he says, is it popular . But thats some of the deep inside all us. Call conscience, ask is a position right. So we must take positions sometimes i need to say no pop are not politic, but we must take those positions because our consciences tell us. So i ask you this evening what is right for you and right america for americans of all walks of life to exist because this country came into being, because a lot of people were working to make it what it is. But were not finished that were not even close to where. We ought to be. We got to go back and quadruple our efforts and inspire our generations younger to young generation, the generation of our daughter and i. I must share this. Believe i suggest and pearson, im just i mean to represent pearson down our this bright and invisible colleague. And bringing this up because i dont understand your legislation. How do yall allow people to run your government and all they were doing was bring in an issue that their constituents and they are concerned about with their constituents. Well reason they want raises some partizan mood. It was a back safety. It was about our nation moving forward and you get thrown out of the body by somebody who i dont even know what people do. I understand guns. I should be the first one to want to have a gun. My dad stood right here talking to someone was gunned down, so sure i should be the one to get a gun and go shoot some. That did because you know certainly you all believe that and ask one out of two for two works right yeah literally that right but think about it if that philosophy most of us would be without as a chief theres got to be a higher level that humanity wants to. And thats what Martin Luther king taught us. Thats what other young people in. All represented. Thats my daughter represent. I got to see i got to break before i leave. To thousand and 16, we were invited to the white house last year. President obama and we sent our daughter audrey. And i said, you, yolanda, you got to come up with the question. The president , we didnt tell him anything else. She gets into the Oval Movement there because all the many times we in the its almost eight years the president had been there, not been in the oval office to see the bust of dad and is still display there and has been there since president obama. But my point is when she asked that question, the president gave her an and it wasnt sufficient initially, but he kept talking and she felt comfortable less than a year and a half later from florida, im sure were 17 people were killed by a young student came to school and just exhibited hatred and hostility and mental illness. About a year later. Oh, i didnt hear that. Im sorry. The question was, mr. President , what are you going to do about these guys . Do you want this tour of 16 to 17 parents and carers and then to 18 the march for our lives . Were over 800,000 people assembled in washington dc. A lot of students at parkland were students from chicago. Those young people brought together students from los angeles, students from texas, students from new york all saying, we got to do something about guns. So yolanda was we asked to speak. She learned that morning, saturday morning was that she was going to speak very quickly this is what she said. And she blew us away. She said, im yolanda, renee king and granddaughter of margaret to king junior and coretta king. My had a dream that his four little children would live a world where they would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. She then said, i have a dream to and my dream is enough is enough and we must a country where. It doesnt mean anything happen to us, but it still its put into the universe. It cant begin and it is now in the universe and. We will get there someday. I wish i could wave a magic wand. And we were there today. But were not. So long as i close, we perhaps know what our challenge is. Im asking encourage just please participate in the upcoming elections, not just in every ten has an election. Dad told us about this people is a power this people and one of the most important steps we could take is that you are step to the ballot box now when do that we also have to hold elected officials accountable because when hold us accountable, then you are able to engage them to build community. We build community and not continue build bombs that destroy life and, humanity. So do not get anyways. Tired as the song says, because weve come much too far from where we started. But no one ever told any of us that our road would be easy. But i know our god, our god, our god did not bring any of us this morning. We thank you, memphis thank you. Memphis. You and around the world. Lets keep building that right. So we know appreciate the incredible show this on this place called the United States of america. And one day well be where that man. Really doesnt. What happens now . I left a lot of this morning as got started on the plane that the six of us he was the pilot said over the public address system we are sorry for the delay but we have after marvelous came out of the plane and to be sure that all the bags were checked and to be sure that nothing be wrong in the plane, we have to check out everything carefully. And weve had the plane protect it and guard it all night and then got a notice and some began to see the threat and talk about the threats that were out, what would happen me from some of our sick White Brothers oh, what will happen now . Weve got some difficult days ahead. Whats really the matter with me now . Because ive been to mountaintop. I dont have. Like anybody i would like to live a long life longevity has its place, but im not concerned about that now. I just want to do gods. And hes allowed me to go up to the mountain and i look over and i see the promised. I not get that with. But i want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. Oh, and happy tonight. Im not worried about anything. Im not feeling it in there. My eyes have seen the glow on the cover that the whole. Show. Be is oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh. See see. This. It its. You. Way way clean. You. Know, and. As. Oh oh. And nice. And nice. And nice and and oh its just. I need you to take. Guy and feed me for just as long. Id be me. Oh to the last oh. I. Press. And and. This time. I. I invite you to stand as youre for the benediction. By the god of peace make you complete in everything could that you may do what is gods and what is pleasing in gods sight may . The god of grace. Strengthen your being through the power of the. Spirit that you may be renewed for service. In gods world, may the god of love your hearts with the love of christ. You may share that love with one another and with all of gods people, and may the blessing of god, father, son and holy spirit be among