By Davina Morris [email protected] BIRTHPLACE OF the blues and home of the late ‘King of Rock and Roll’, Elvis Presley, Memphis boasts a rich musi- cal history. But, for those who call the American southern city home, it also holds historical significance as the place where, in 1968 civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Forty years on, Memphians recog- nised Martin Luther King Day (a US national holiday since 1983) with a celebra- tion of his life – at the spot that marks his death. The Lorraine Motel, where King was shot as he stood on the hotel balcony, is now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum, which opened in 1991. Despite the freezing tempera- tures, hundreds of Americans – mostly, but not exclusively, black – queued outside the venue wait- ing to experience the powerful and moving gallery. Exhibits included details of early slave revolts, bus boycotts and protest marches. The museum also featured a hotel room, re- created to look like room 306 of the Lorraine Motel. Dr. King shared this room with his friend and colleague, Reverand Ralph Abernathy, before he was assassi- nated on the balcony, right outside on April 4. After King’s death, Abernathy said that on trips to Memphis, he and King stayed in that room so often it was dubbed the ‘King- Abernathy suite’. Outside the museum, a lively band got the crowd in celebratory spirit, with renditions of reggae classics, including Bob Marley’s Waiting in Vain. I’d never associ- ated Martin Luther King with reg- gae, but the musical vibes went down a treat for the occasion. It was particularly inspiring to see so many parents in atten- dance with their children, making an effort to educate them about their history. One young boy was wearing a sign that said: ‘I want to be a man’. This was clearly inspired by the placards held by many civil rights fighters, which displayed the famous slogan, ‘I am a man’. Political campaigners also made use of the occasion, with NEWS 8 March 3 - 9, 2008 Remembering our King in Memphis City where Dr Martin Luther King was assassinated is alive with southern spirit PROUD: A young boy is inspired by history POWERFUL: Many are moved by the museum’s exhibits SLAIN: Dr King was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 020 8471 2258 or 07940 732518 YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE AT: www.theafricanlanguageschool.com E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] THE NEWHAM AFRICAN CARIBBEAN RESOURSE CENTRE 627-633 BARKING RD, PLAISTOW, LONDON E13 NEAREST TUBE: UPTON PARK/PLAISTOW (DISTRICT LINES) BUSES: 5 115 147 330 DO YOU WANT TO LEARN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE? ARE YOUR CHILDREN ‘CUT-OFF’ FROM THEIR LANGUAGE AND THEREFORE THEIR CULTURE? THE CARIBBEAN AND AFRICAN REUNION PROJECT HAS ESTABLISHED THE FIRST AFRICAN LANGUAGE SCHOOL IN EAST LONDON ADULT CLASSES : TUE 7PM - 9PM ROOM 1 GA TUE 7PM - 9PM ROOM 2 TWI WED 7PM - 9PM ROOM 1 YORUBA WED 7PM - 9PM ROOM 2 IBO FRI 7PM - 9PM ROOM 1 SWAHILLI FRI 7PM - 9PM ROOM2 AMHARIC CHILDRENS CLASSES: SAT 10AM - 12NOON ROOM 1 GA SAT 10AM - 12NOON ROOM 2 TWI SAT 12.30PM - 2.30PM ROOM 1 YORUBA SAT 12.30PM - 2.30PM ROOM 2 IBO SAT 2.45PM - 4.45PM ROOM 1 SWAHILLI SAT 2.45PM - 4.45PM ROOM 2 AMHARICIC LANGUAGES TAUGHT : • TWI & GA (GHANAIAN) • IBO & YORUBA (NIGERIAN) • SWAHCLI (EAST AFRICAN) • AMHARIC (ETHIOPIAN) • WOLOF (WEST AFRICAN) OTHER AFRICAN LANGUAGES WILL BE ADDED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. LESSONS WILL ALSO BE HELD ON-LINE