The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stands with other civil rights leaders on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968, a day before he was assassinated at approximately the same place.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stands with other civil rights leaders on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968, a day before he was assassinated at approximately the same place. / AP Photo

He was a civil rights icon, beloved father and husband, who would be 91 years old this year. On Monday, the nation celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Georgia native was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee a day after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, “I’ve Been To The Mountaintop.”

Poet Jon Goode shares an excerpt from his poem, 'Me, God, and Destiny.'

That prophetic speech called for unity and progress during the Memphis sanitation strike. Those powerful words resonated with Atlanta poet and author, Jon Goode who says King’s words and actions inspired his tribute, “Me, God and Destiny.” 

...And I, I’ve walked from Selma to Montgomery

With a multitude behind me and an angry horde in front of me

With nothing but the strength of the Lord up under me

And the weight of the world on my shoulders

But I will not backpedal

And I will not retreat

I will not concede defeat ...

For a list of events planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, see GPB’s round-up.

 

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