The Rev. Dorothy Wells.
photo by Laura Jones

MLK50

In April, my son Bennett and I joined thousands of others in Memphis to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many of the events took place at the National Civil Rights Museum, a complex of three buildings – the main museum with extensive displays;; the Lorraine Motel, where Dr King was assassinated; and the former rooming house where James Earl Ray took his deadly aim.

Laura Jones at the National Civil Rights Museum

Bennett Jones Phillips in front of the Lorraine Motel

Displays show a comprehensive history of the American civil rights movement. Today, we can learn much from this history and from raising awareness about the devastation caused by poverty, hate, and war.  De-escalation of violence, and reducing poverty is as necessary today as when Martin Luther King began raising the awareness of connecting one issue to another.

Laura Jones with one of her anti-poverty photographs

For me, another highlight of the week’s events was A Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation and Unveiling of a Historical Marker. The Service took place inside the Calvary Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Dorothy Wells.
photo by Laura Jones

Rev. Dorothy Wells, shown here, wrote the Litany of Prayers for Forgiveness, Healing, and Reconciliation.

Slaves sold on the church site were acknowledged by name where names were known.  A plaque was unveiled on the property correcting past misinformation and acknowledging past injustices.

It was an underreported event, but one that other cities and other faith communities can learn from. It is a positive step towards healing some of the deep wrongs and hurts caused by slavery and racism.

Bishop with new historic sign, Memphis