Atlantans Take To Twitter, Honor MLK, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
In 1992 at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, Coretta Scott King, the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is shown embracing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, right, during a Martin Luther King Day ceremony.
Erik S. Lesser / Associated Press file
This is an important and eventful week in civil rights history.
Atlantans have taken to Twitter to honor South African anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as Wednesday will be the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
“Just want to remind folks that my father didn’t ‘lose’ his life and he didn’t ‘pass away.’ Let’s get the language right,” King’s daughter, Bernice, tweeted on Easter Sunday.
Just want to remind folks that my father didn’t “lose” his life and he didn’t “pass away.” Let’s get the language right. #MLK #MLK50Forward
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 1, 2018
Bernice King’s followers responded with tweets saying that her father was “assassinated” and “murdered,” emphasizing that it was an important distinction for others to make.
Earlier this year, Bernice King criticized Newsweek on Twitter for posting a photo of her father in a casket and cautioned media outlets to be more sensitive.
She flew to Memphis, Tennessee, to honor the life and legacy of her father, but she’ll be back in Atlanta for “Beloved Community Talks” hosted by the King Center later this week.
In Memphis to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the day my father was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. Historical. Heartbreaking. Humbling. Landing here as I did with my mother, #CorettaScottKing, and my uncle, A. D. King, 50 years ago. #MLK50Forward #MLK pic.twitter.com/jmNZz4e6IK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 2, 2018
In light of recent events, Bernice King and the King Center have also paid tribute to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who died from “a long illness” Monday, according to her family.
Rest in power, #WinnieMandela. Grateful to have met and shared powerful moments with her. She and my mother, #CorettaScottKing, had poignant, memorable meetings. pic.twitter.com/VOh7bAQpSq
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 2, 2018
Rest well, #WinnieMandela. (hugging #CorettaScottKing) pic.twitter.com/U5JKCxwN1E
— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) April 2, 2018
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also commented on Madikizela-Mandela.
Winnie Mandela was one of the first dignitaries I met when I joined City Council. Winnie Mandela’s selfless and exceptional courage in her fight to end apartheid in South Africa forever changed our world. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May she Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/H7sKhnlJL7
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) April 2, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta and preached at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
After his death, his wife founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, also known as The King Center.
The city of Atlanta will be honoring Dr. King this week with events scheduled around the area. Click here to see what events are happening near you.
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