Every year on the weekend of his birthday, we honor the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memphians flood the South Main Historic Arts District to visit the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated more than 50 years ago. Outside of the Lorraine Motel you can find Miss Jackie, a staple of this community, who's been sitting outside of the Motel for the last 27 years protesting the building of the Civil Rights Museum. So many things about this area make me smile. For most people, this weekend is a time to celebrate and recognize the work that was done by those courageous leaders who came before us....individuals who fought and were killed to assure that my generation, our generation, would not have to endure that prejudices and humiliation that so many of our ancestors were subjected to. For me, this weekend is always a time of reflection. A time to question whether the dreams of Dr. King have actually been realized, or has this generation become complacent in it's place in today's society. Complacent in knowing that we are now this country's #1 consumer, which means that we've finally achieved that piece of the American Pie that we fought so desperately for. Complacent in knowing that this country now has its First African American President, a feat that no one (even myself for that matter) thought possible. But if history has taught us one thing, its that complacency is the enemy of progress. In all this complacency, we've lost focus of the real dream. Fifty years later, and some of us have yet to even register to vote. A right that many people lost their lives fighting for. We've sat by idly while companies take advantage of our #1 consumer status, flooding our neighborhoods with Liquor Stores, check advance and title loan companies. Then when these companies decide they want our neighborhoods back, we sit back complacently and watch as they gentrify our neighborhoods, leaving many families displaced. Here in Memphis, Lamar Terrace and now Crosstown are the most recent victims of Gentrification. Even as this country's #1 consumer, we still don't have the capital to prevent these companies from forcing us out of neighborhoods some of our families have occupied for 40+ years. The fight didn't end in 1964 (signing of the Civil Rights Act), but it continues today with our efforts. If you haven't already begun, I encourage each of you to take a special interest in the issues surrounding your community. In the words of Cee Lo Green, "You need to get up get out and do something, How will you make it if you never even try? You gotta get up get out and get something, cause you and I, gotta do for you and I!"
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