August 28, 2011: Dedication of the the Dr. MLK, Jr. Memorial... What Will This Day Look Like 40 Years Later?

[Arthur L. Hunt, Jr.]

“August 28, 2011: GREAT DAY OF THE DREAMERS”

The Memphis and Mid-south Salute to the Anniversary of the March on Washington and Dedication of the Dr. MLK, Jr. Memorial

King delivered the famous speech/prophecy on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in conjunction with the 1963 March on Washington. The $120 million memorial is the only one that honors a prophet and does not commemorate a president or a war.

 

Memphis, TN – The Ultimate King Prophecy has been fulfilled! On August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech/prophecy, the nation will acknowledge the King Legacy at the highest level of all times in tribute/honor. Three cities (among several others), Atlanta, DC and Memphis will be extremely high in visibility and on record documenting this day. This year, as the nation witnesses the Dedication of the long anticipated Dr. MLK Memorial in DC, Memphis will commemorate this historic day at Mud Island River Park and Amphitheatre.

 The Leadership Questions… Challening Opportunities

Based on the many reasons known to us and to many, the 48^th Anniversary of the March on Washington will be at its highest peak since its early period of celebration.  King is the   Millions will tune in and aim to capture and recapture the strength of King’s dream and legacy and this new day in American History.   

On  August 28, 2011 during this once in a lifetime moment, across the nation and especially in Memphis there will be a sense of tribute, honor and legacy for people desiring to convene and to come together to see the promise and especially the Dedication of the Dr. MLK Memorial in D.C.   

And yes… in Memphis and the Mid-south, here are a few questions that we know thousands will be in search of as to how they will embrace this moment. 

1. What is the role of the clergy on this day of spiritual prominence?
2. Where will we gather?
3. What will we do when we gather?
4. How will we capture and preserve our day of historic prominence?
5. What will this day look like as it relates to the uniformity of national monuments of ministry, education, civil rights, federal, state and local agencies and organizations? 
6. What will this day look like 10, 20 and 40 years later as the next generations seek to capture how the “now leaders” regarded this moment as it relates to the uniformity of national, local and state monuments of religion, education, civil rights, federal, state and local agencies and organizations?
7. What has been, and remains to date the “role of Memphis and the Mid-south” in this timeline of greatness?
8. What will Memphis and the Mid-south say on “this day” that lets the nation and the world know this city’s significance, then, now and onwards?

 

 "As the producer of the first Memphis national tributes to the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. King for three years at the Orpheum Theatre and the opening entertainment tribute for the National Civil Rights Museum, we are answering key questions. Some may ask, why a Memphis Salute? Atlanta is the birthplace, DC is the place King gave his most famous prophecy; however, Memphis is where Dr. King gave the ultimate sacrifice when he laid down his life demonstrating the power of God’s love.  The gospel of Luke records ten lepers who were in distress and removed from their community. They all cried out for Jesus to heal them. He did. They, all being recovered, went happily on their way, but “ only one” turned around and returned to say thanks to Jesus and to praise God.  Jesus asked the intense question of accountability, “Where are the nine?   On this day of anointed victory, Memphis and the Mid-south will converge in the posture of the “one” who got it right and join the millions across the nation and say to God Almighty, “thank you for freedom in you beyond race, creed, color, denomination, religion, social class, etc.” According to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and of King, we were all created from mud, and on this great day right here in Memphis, God would have us to return to the mud (island)  as He is showing this nation that we have been re-created, transformed, and are truly “in His Image.”

King stated 48 years ago regarding this spiritual umbilical cord from  DC to Memphis and the  Mid-south, “This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” He went on to say, “This would be the day when we will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.”   August 28, 2011 is this day, and in this 25^th Anniversary year honoring the Federal Holiday, we have not seen this level of honor since President Reagan signed the legislation approving the Federal Holiday in King’s honor.  Memphis will be ready,” said Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., CEO at The College of Aspiring Artists and producer of the event and film.

 

Persons interested in helping to support and expand beyond the DC Celebrations in Memphis or other markets in this effort or to get supporting ideas on setting up a salute,  please feel free to contact me at:

 The College of Aspiring Artists     [e-mail]  www.feelthemovement.net