The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee
By Priscilla Wiredu The Civil Rights Movement was a social justice movement in which Black Americans fought for equal rights during the 1950s and 1960s. Black Americans who faced the devastating effects of racism and discrimination, such as racially motivated hate crimes, mobilised to fight for equality. Many events contributed to the success of the Civil Rights Movement.Rosa Parks’ “No,” Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and the Freedom Riders’ bus tour are some notable pillars of the movement. The social justice struggle influenced the world, and now transcends time in the acknowledgement of Black people’s struggles in Western society. In Memphis, Tennessee, the biggest civil rights museum in the world,continues to keep the story of the Civil Rights Movement up and running. The Civil Rights Museum The National Civil Rights Museum was established in 1991. It is located at the infamous Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968. The museum allows its attendants to explore interactive exhibits, historical collections, listen to dynamic speakers, and get an in-person look at the tumultuous yet inspiring fight for change. The National Civil Rights Museum is amongst the top 5 percent of institutions accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is also a founding member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, a union that brings together global historical sites and memory initiatives to connect past human rights fights to today’s social justice movements. Exhibits The museum has a lot of attractions and exhibits for attendees to visit. These attractions and exhibits provide an understanding on thereasons for the Civil Rights Movement, and what many freedom fighters had to endure during those times. Here are some of the most powerful exhibitions they have: Lorraine Building After undergoing a renovation in 2014, the Lorraine Exhibit has more than forty films, oral histories, and interactive media that tells the story of the American Civil Rights Movement in chronological order. Visitors can even see Room 306, where Dr. King Jr. spent his final hours. Some examples of the media include: A Culture of Resistance, The Rise of Jim Crow, Separate is Not Equal, The Year They Walked, and Standing Up by Sitting Down. Started in January 2016, this powerful and interactive exhibit consists of two media projects. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. The project,Moments in Civil Rights History’, has 52 historic episodes that illustrate the significance of the American civil rights journey. It focuses not only on key events from 1954 to 1968 but also on key events that occurred before and after between 1619 to 1973. Let the World See This heart-wrenching, powerful traveling exhibit demonstrates the ugliness of racism, hard truths, and injustices, but it also tells a story of inspiration and bravery. Mamie Till Mobley changed the face of the Civil Rights Movement when she arranged an open casket funeral for her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, who was lynched beyond recognition for allegedly being flirtatious towards a white woman in 1955. Mobley wanted to show the world how cruelly and inhumanely her only son was ripped from her at the hands of racism. The boldness of Mobley’s actions called for positive change during the Civil Rights Movement and even today. The National Civil Rights Museum has garnered a lot of fame. It has been featured on the History Channel, CNN, and USA Today. It was also the focal point for the Academy Award-nominated documentaryThe Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306. Events The National Civil Rights Museum holds many : April 4th Commemoration Every April 4, the National Civil Rights Museum honoursthe life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event encourages attendees to reflect on the significant impact of Dr. King Jr. ‘s work and the path for justice and equality he helped carve. In 2024, the commemoration included a youth component wherein the winners of youth poetry and spoken word competitions gave a performing piece. King Day Every January 13, the museum celebrates Martin Luther King Day with a musical celebration by noted musicians, scholarly talks, discussions about intersectionality between race and other facets of society (the 2024 talk was on race and sports), and a storybook reading for children. Ruby Bridges Reading Festival Backed by the NAACP, Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend the first desegregated school in the deep south. Six-year-old Bridges endured racial harassment and threats at the hands ofneighbours and parents of children as she took her first brave walk to school. The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival celebrates Bridges’ legacy of passionately advocating for equal rights, education, and tolerance by bringing together families across racial, economic, and educational backgrounds around reading. Events include a book signing and reading by Mrs. Bridge herself, free books for Pre-K through elementary school children, a magic show, free ice cream courtesy of Ben and Jerry’s, African drumming, and puppet shows. Freedom Award The museum hosts an annual award ceremony that honours individuals who have demonstrated a firm commitment to promoting justice and equality. Juneteenth On June 19, 1865, Union soldier Major General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and enslaved Black Americanswere now free. This happened two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Every June 19, the museum offers free admission for all visitors to learn about the importance and origins of Juneteenth. It also offers health-related services and resources, such as health screenings and vaccinations, information about preventive healthcare, blood donations, mobile health clinics by local healthcare providers and community organisations. Contact information The Civil Rights Museum is a time capsule about the resilience, restless fight, and ongoing inspiration to continue to fight forhuman rights around the world. For more information about the museum, from donations to memberships, click here.