Words Behind the Movement

The idea for Words Behind the Movement began with quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Benjamin E. Mays. From these quotes, their connection as leaders was illustrated along with other images that portray the Civil Rights Movement. The timeline begins on the left of the mural with an image of Graves Hall, a building of Morehouse College, where Benjamin E. Mays was president. This is also where Martin Luther King. Jr. attended college. Continuing on the timeline is a map of India, representing a trip Martin Luther King, Jr. took to learn about nonviolence from the teachings of Gandhi. Next is the image of the bus that Rosa Parks was on when she was arrested. Behind the bus is the cropped police photograph of Martin Luther King, Jr. when he was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama after violent protests there. Following this there are pairs of legs marching on Washington. Underneath are strips of text from the “I Have A Dream” speech. This speech is visually represented as steps of progress for the marchers. The large microphones symbolize the wide reach of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words and their importance. The mural ends with the image of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where he delivered his famous speech.

Location Note: This mural is located in the interior of the Juvenile Justice Services Center and may not be accessible for public viewing.