My name is Elizabeth S. In the year 1968, I was 28 years old. I lived on 2205 Benton Street in Memphis, TN. I liked living in Memphis in the 60s- it was a rough city, but not nearly as rough as it is now. At night, I could walk the streets without any concern and the people were genuinely kind and concerned about one another. The word "neighbors" really meant something.
A typical day for me was waking up in the morning and then getting the kids ready for school. Once they were off, I would come home, clean the house, wash, iron, and cook. These activities usually lasted the entire day until the kids returned. I always had dinner ready for them by they time they got home from school. Once they had had their dinner, I made sure they finished their homework and then it was off to bed. I had a job, but it did not require me to be there everyday. Now, I no longer have to do any of that. My husband passed away and my children have gotten married and moved out. I no longer live in my old home. Instead, I live with my youngest daughter and her two children.
The day King was assassinated, I remember being at work at Color Craft. It was a normal day for me. Then, the manager began telling us that we all needed to go home. He began to board the windows and lock doors. We all left, still not knowing what was going on. We were at our cars when we heard the news. I remember feeling terribly sad and hurt. People around me were frightened and sad as well. I felt disturbed and horrified that someone actually killed him. Throughout the night, things began to get even more frightening. People began acting crazy. There looting and burning of buildings and people fighting one another. Police were patrolling the streets. I was even stopped by an officer on the way home from work. I was transporting a lot of people home and apparently it looked suspicious. Once I told him what I was doing, he sent me on my way.
When I came home from work, my husband was afraid and pacing the living room. He told me how he had called my job and no one answered, causing him to be concerned. That night I could not get to sleep. I was as restless as I have ever been. The entire city felt as though it was full of hatred. The night in its entirety was frightening. It was a dark, dark night.
Before King's death I deeply admired him. I loved that he promoted nonviolence. No matter how they treated him, and they did treat him many ways, he always wanted to keep the peace. After his death I still admired him. Even though he died, the violence was not on his part and that deserves respect. His death was absolutely unnecessary- there was just no need.
Life definitely changed after King's death. Everyone, for a while, tried to be peaceful and kind to one another. People acted differently. They were all trying to live the way King wanted them to. The attitudes of everyone changed as well. Blacks and whites were nicer to each other. Before his death, whites did not listen to blacks and their opinions. After his death, they began to listen.
One instance where I saw a change was when I went to vote. A white woman bumped into me. Had this happened any time earlier, I would be the one made to feel as though it were my fault. In this instance, the woman was not rude. Instead, she apologized and actually allowed me to go ahead of her in line. I am thankful for Mr. King and everything he promoted. He will remain in my memories forever.