Life in the 1960's was a simple time, there was a feeling of security. I was living in Walker Homes at the time with my parents, brother, and sister. The Civil Rights Movement was occurring at the time and everyone was extremely excited when Dr. King came in town to give his speech. It felt like any other morning the day of the assassination.
At the time of the Martin Luther King accident I was in the eleventh grade. I remember being at home just getting home from school and hearing that he was dead. I felt stunned and devastated at the same time. Me and my family were so shocked when we heard the news. Our eyes were glued to the television waiting to see what was going to happen next. We felt like it was all over. Memphis went on total lockdown. There was a curfew for two weeks, everyone had to be inside by nine o' clock unless you had work. People were so angry; they were looting stores, crying, and burning buildings. Memphis was devastated. The day was so gloomy and tragic. I remember just sitting there crying and crying with the rest of my family. They also had a feeling of determination to carry out the dream. It was time to make a stand. The black community began looking for a new leader. People began stepping up trying to be leaders and carry out the dream.