
Photograph by Herman Hiller, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress
On Sunday, the Missouri History Museum will present “I May Not Get There With You,” a multimedia presentation that (re)introduces the audience to some of the most controversial speeches from the last year of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.
“This particularly focuses on the last year of his life, which is usually overlooked,” says Alex Detrick, Assistant Director of Community Education and Events at the History Museum. “Most commemorations focus on how he emerged on the national stage. At that point in his life, he had broadened from the original worker’s plight and Civil Rights to a more global view.”
The presentation also tries to go further than focusing on the classic “I Have a Dream” speech, which has been drilled into the mind of every third grader around the country.
“This takes clips from an array of speeches to give a more holistic view,” Detrick states.
The presentation will feature performances of the speeches by actors Phillip Banks and Ronnie Dixon, as well as music from the jazz quartet D’Fynitive Soul Band and poetry from Mari “Emcee” Carter, Louis “Conphliction” McGee, and Greg “The Poet” Harris.
"I May Not Get There With You," takes place January 15 at 7pm in the Missouri History Museum's Lee Auditorium (Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park,314-746-4599 or visit mohistory.org). Admission is free.