"I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go 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." This is one of the great quotes of Martin Luther King Jr. King, a man of faith, is practically the definition of a natural born leader. If the people of the world could strive to live like King, in my opinion the world would be a better place.
Blake M. was just eight years old. He lived in the Whitehaven area of Memphis, a consistent and very calm area during the time of 1968. During this time, Memphis, a city largely based on cotton, was a very progressive city and it's suburbs were expanding rapidly. Blake was just a normal eight year old kid, he woke up and went to school everyday, but one thing that was different from today is that his parents did not have concern about his safety. Today there is a concern parents have about the safety of their kids when they are not in their proximity.
One day, Blake was laying in bed watching television. Then all of the sudden the news report came on that King had been shot. Because of this tragedy, Blake's parents started to discuss how this would affect the city of Memphis. They both ended up coming to the conclusion the African-American community would be "up in arms" over the matter especially since the shooting took place in Memphis. Blake did not have a great understanding of Martin Luther King because he was only eight years old, but he does recall he was "made a demon" by the white community. Blake explained life changed signficantly after the shooting, he says Memphis's reputation took a toll because Memphis is the city where he was shot. He also explained policies changed quickly, but attitudes around the city did not change as fast. Then he goes to say comparing the Memphis today with the Memphis in 1968 is like comparing ice cream to boiling water.
After all, the city of Memphis has never been the same after the shooting he said. Blake knew the tention between the African-Americans and the white community, was far from over. Memphis will always be known as the city, where the great Martin Luther King Junior died.