MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An important observance took place downtown over the weekend that may have gone unnoticed by many Memphians. It was the third annual Tom Lee Day – honoring the African American laborer who became a national hero when he single-handedly saved 32 people from drowning in the Mississippi River 96 years ago.
The story of Lee’s heroics is legendary in Memphis. He used his small boat to rescue members of the Engineers Club and their relatives who were on a tour when their vessel, the M/E. Norman, capsized in the turbulent waters on May 8th, 1925.
Lee was showered with gifts for his bravery, including a home and a city job. And the downtown park named in his memory, is scheduled for major upgrades in the coming months. In fact, the only unresolved issue is what to do with a 67-year-old monument to Lee that contains the inscription ‘a very worthy Negro’ – which of course is inappropriate by today’s standards.
I believe that monument should be removed, particularly since it’s mostly a boring obelisk that has been toppled twice by high winds. Plus, there is now a more appropriate memorial in the park that actually depicts Lee’s life-saving heroics.
As for Tom Lee Day, well, it should be an even bigger celebration in the years to come - because no Memphian in the city’s history is more of the hero than Tom Lee. And that’s my point of view.