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AT LARGE COVER STORY “HILL COUNTRY HERO”
A Bridge Too Far
A light bulb nally went o Downtown, but it took a while.
People around the world were shocked and horri ed when Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine last week. e idea of an actual old-school land invasion of a settled, sovereign country seemed somehow incomprehensible in 2022. Mercilessly launching missiles, bombs, and cannon re into cities full of civilians, hospitals, schools, and churches surely could not be happening. But it was. And then the world watched as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instigated a erce resistance that has continued into Monday morning, as I write this. ere were mass demonstrations against the war across Europe. Cities all over the free world began lighting up buildings, iconic edi ces, and bridges in the blue and gold colors of the Ukrainian ag. Except in Memphis.
It wasn’t for lack of interest. Or trying. On Twitter, people began suggesting that Memphis light its bridges in blue and gold as early as last ursday. It seemed a no-brainer. As someone tweeted on Saturday (possibly a Flyer senior editor): “If Memphis bridges aren’t gold and blue tonight, somebody has got some damn explaining to do.”
But Mighty Lights, the nonpro t organization that runs the light displays on Memphis’ two interstate bridges, was totally unresponsive. Some people lled out the form on their website, which appeared to be the only method to communicate with the group, to no avail. Increasingly caustic comments on the group’s Facebook and Instagram accounts also got no response. Was anyone home? It didn’t appear so. e tweeting started to get a little snippy: “Is Tucker Carlson running things over there?” “Memphis should be leading instead of following!” “MLGW is still working on the problem [sarcasm].” “I know a lot of people who’ve reached out to them and gotten no response. What is the damn deal with these people?”
What was the damn deal with these people? I still don’t know. I do know that on Sunday a ernoon, on a freshly created Twitter account, @MightyLightsMem issued its rst tweet, and it went over like a fart in a crowded elevator: “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” it read. “On Tuesday, March 1, the Mighty Lights will glow purple, green, and gold for Mardi Gras!” ere was an accompanying photo of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge in Mardi Gras colors.
Mardi Gras? Who was in charge over there? People tagged, texted, and emailed Mayor Strickland and other leaders. ey tweeted pictures of the Ei el Tower, the Christ statue in Rio, the Roman Colosseum, the Empire State building, all lit in blue and gold, next to a screenshot of the Mardi Gras tweet, and wrote: “ e rest of the world vs. Memphis.” Tambo38104 spoke for most when he tweeted: “ is is the most tone deaf thing I think I have ever seen. What is WRONG with you?”
We’ll never know what nally sparked the change, but I’m guessing somebody with clout probably noticed the growing outrage and made a call. e Mardi Gras tweet came down within the hour and was shortly replaced by one that read: “Tonight, February 27, and on Monday night, February 28, e Mighty Lights will join iconic landmarks around the world to glow in solidarity with Ukraine,” accompanied by a picture of the M bridge lit up in blue and gold. Never mind that it was an old photo from a er a Grizzlies game, they seemed to have nally gotten the message. On Sunday and Monday nights, the bridge was a beautiful blue and gold.
Still, I think it’s safe to say some adjustments need to be made. Mighty Lights has been a wonderful addition to Downtown, but a er the events of the past week, it appears — how to say this, delicately? — no one is home. At the very least, somebody needs to be monitoring social media, so they aren’t caught looking clueless again. Someone should also be responding to comments and questions on the group’s social media pages. is is sort of Marketing 101.
I get that this is not a big-bucks organization. It’s a nonpro t with little sta ng that does nice visual things for Downtown. But those bridges are public highways, and the public needs a way to communicate with whoever’s controlling the switch.
Someone needs to keep a light on.
PHOTO: CURT RAKESTRAW
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