Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr…..

Today is a day to honor a great American – at a time when our country is more divided than ever…

MLK Day (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) is a U.S. federal holiday on the third Monday in January honoring the civil rights leader’s life and achievements, emphasizing equality, justice, and nonviolent activism, observed with community service (“a day on, not a day off”), parades, and educational events to promote his vision of the “Beloved Community”. 

Martin Luther King Jr. was a powerful leader in the 60’s, speaking out for equality and justice for all…he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, by a sniper while standing on the balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, at age 39. The murder, which sparked widespread grief and riots, remains controversial, with a 1999 civil trial jury finding the government and Mafia conspired with Ray, though the U.S. Department of Justice later dismissed claims of a broader conspiracy, sticking to the official narrative that Ray acted alone. 

I read a book that captured what life was for a black person in the US in the 1960’s…a powerful, timeless look at injustice and inequality – through the eyes of a white person posing as black…

Traveling Through The South As A Black Man…

“Black Like Me” was published 64 years ago, but it is as timely as ever.

This is the original cover of the powerful memoir “Black Like Me”, which was first published in 1961, at the beginning of the civil rights movement.

It was a “call to action” at the time to understand life through someone else’s eyes. I bought this a few years ago in an updated edition, and it is a sobering but important read.

The memoir recounts his journey in the Deep South at a time when African-Americans lived under racial segregation. Author Griffin had his skin temporarily darkened in order to pass as a black man. His story is shocking.

The Author traveled for six weeks throughout the racially segregated states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia to explore life from the other side of the color line. Sepia Magazine financed the project in exchange for the right to print the account as a series of articles.

Griffin kept a journal of his experiences; that 188-page diary was the genesis of the book. When he started his project in 1959, race relations in America were particularly strained. 

Today of course, we are still struggling to address the issue of racism in our country, reading this memoir seems more timely than ever, which is why I bought the 50th anniversary edition of the book with new material added.

The book was a sensation when published. Griffin received many letters of support. He said they helped him understand the experience.

Griffin became a national celebrity, and helped further the conversation, although civil rights were still years away. 

In 1964, a film version starring James Whoitmore was released. Both the film and the book are filled with sobering moments of racism that the Author experiences.

One story from the book tells about a bus trip the Author was on, and Griffin began to give his seat to a white woman, but disapproving looks from black passengers stopped him. He thought he had a momentary breakthrough with the woman, but she then insulted him and began talking with other white passengers about how “impudent” the blacks were becoming!

The book was a huge success, addressing the underlying racism the existed in that part of the country. Remember, schools were still segregated at the time, and so were public restrooms and more.

And here’s a sad footnote to the memoir. In 1964, while stopped with a flat tire in Mississippi, Griffin was assaulted by a group of white men and beaten with chains, an assault attributed to the book. It took five months to recover from the injuries.

America’s history of racism is well documented, but I got to see it up close:

I was in Jackson Mississippi and saw many signs from the “Freedom Trail” – shocking moments from our country’s past….click here to see more:

I also shared an insightful book by the iconic Travel Author Paul Theroux, who travelled through America’s “Deep South” a few years ago to see America up close:

Theroux only travelled back roads and visited small communities to explore the state of race relations today…a brilliant memoir. You can see more here:

I hope you take a moment to reflect on issues of racism and inequality where you live, and how division will break us apart at a time when we should be coming together as never before…

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Let me know if you’ve read this powerful book…

Categories: Books / Media, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Travel Memoir

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