And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
The language is seen by some as a "prophetic" analogy. Moses is the leader of the people of Israel whom they follow because of the prospect of life within a promised Land. Before they reach the land however, Moses is informed by God that he will not allow him to enter into the land and that he will only see it with eyes. The Lord brings Moses to the mountain top that he may see the land. Shorty after Moses dies and is buried by God and his successor Joshua leads Israel into the Promised land.
King was assassinated after her walked out on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
According to Jesse Jackson, who was present, King's last words on the balcony prior to his assassination were spoken to musician Ben Branch, who was scheduled to perform that night at an event King was attending: "Ben, make sure you play "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty."
IV. Date and Place (Go to the Timeline and enter in this information as well as here!)
(Place all URLs underneath the image, video, etc.)
I. Artifact Name
Podium of Last MLK speech
II. Image
III. Description of the Artifact and It's Significance
I've Been to the Mountaintop" is the popular name of the last speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr.[1[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Been_to_the_Mountaintop#cite_note-0|]]][2[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Been_to_the_Mountaintop#cite_note-1|]]][3[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Been_to_the_Mountaintop#cite_note-MLKing-2|]]]
King spoke on April 3, 1968, at the Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee. The next day, King was assassinated.
The speech primarily concerns the Memphis Sanitation Strike. King calls for unity, economic actions, boycotts, and nonviolent protest. In the manner of a sermon, King cites the Book of Exodus, the prophet Amos, and the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The phrase "The Mountaintop" is a quote of the prophet Micah.
Toward the end of the speech, King refers to threats against his life and uses language that seems to foreshadow his impending death:
- And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.The language is seen by some as a "prophetic" analogy. Moses is the leader of the people of Israel whom they follow because of the prospect of life within a promised Land. Before they reach the land however, Moses is informed by God that he will not allow him to enter into the land and that he will only see it with eyes. The Lord brings Moses to the mountain top that he may see the land. Shorty after Moses dies and is buried by God and his successor Joshua leads Israel into the Promised land.
King was assassinated after her walked out on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
According to Jesse Jackson, who was present, King's last words on the balcony prior to his assassination were spoken to musician Ben Branch, who was scheduled to perform that night at an event King was attending: "Ben, make sure you play "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty."
IV. Date and Place (Go to the Timeline and enter in this information as well as here!)
April 3, 1968
V. Multimedia Found on the Internet
VI. Curators (First Name, Last Initial)