I think one of the things I like most about Georgia is that it is rich with history. I’ve always been a history buff, along with my dad, and was always interested in people’s struggles and controversy (i.e. the Holocaust/World War II, the Civil Rights Movement and the Watergate scandal).

So when some friends and I set out to explore Atlanta for a day, the first place I wanted to go to was Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park. I wanted to see firsthand where the man had grown up and where he had preached. The nationally recognized park isn’t exactly located in the best part of Atlanta. Chain-linked fences surround its outer limits and the towering skyscrapers only a mile or two away dot the skyline.

As we were walking from the car and into the park, we stopped at each marker along the way that had inspiring quotes from King. Already I could tell that this visit would be an emotional roller coaster ride, which was later likened to my class trip to the Holocaust museum in Washington the summer before my freshman year of high school.

The next stop was the park’s museum, which included numerous exhibits and even the usual gift shop. Some of the exhibits explained what life was like for black children living in the South during the 1950s and `60s and video documentaries about the Civil Rights struggle. Random photographs dotted the walls of people marching, getting beaten by police or peaceful protesters at a lunch counter sit-ins with dozens of white people looking on in the background.

One particular exhibit was almost more than I could bear. In the center of all of the exhibits was a large ramp that seemed to be inclining to a large window. On the ramp were statues of people of both sexes and all races walking toward the end of the incline. To me, the light coming from the window was almost philosophical, as if these “people” were walking toward a final, and just, destination. Visitors were allowed to “walk with” the statues up the incline to be among the exhibit.

I only made it halfway up the ramp.

As I was standing there, looking around, I felt a strange emotion wash over me, as if I had actually been there during the peace marches. It was the weirdest feeling, and I knew that if I didn’t walk off the ramp soon I would burst into tears. Thankfully, none of my friends were with me or saw my dumbfounded expression while standing there.

The next thing I encountered was a video screen broadcasting the haunting speech King made in Memphis the night before he died. That speech has always stayed with me, even more than his more popular “I Have A Dream” speech.

“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

I found myself speaking along with him since I’ve heard it so many times and it still moves me every time.

Finally, after the museum we moved along to King’s final resting place. I noticed that my friend Angela, usually camera-happy, was not taking any photographs and I asked her why.

She said it felt inappropriate to be taking pictures of graves and said she had done the same when she visited John F. Kennedy’s grave.

Near his gravesite is an eternal flame symbolizing King’s message and the continuing struggle for equality.

We also were able to see Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King pastored until his death. Both to me seemed so surreal and I was thankful that I had been able to visit a location where so much history had taken place.

Afterward we did the traditional Atlanta tourist thing, visiting Centennial Olympic Park, the CNN Center, Atlanta Underground and Hard Rock Cafe. But my visit to King’s park stood out most in my mind.

I just wished my friends and family at home could have witnessed the sights and felt its intensity as I had. I know that they would’ve felt the same way.

Amber Billings is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Sioux City. She is at the University of Georgia through the National Student Exchange program.