I was 10 years old when MLK, Jr. died. At the time, I lived in Oates Manor Public Housing, in a predominantly black community. My mom worked as a maid in a private home. She also worked in a laundry mate.
Yes, at the time racial bias was very prevalent. I can remember a car passing as I walked home from school and people yelling "N*****, N*****, N*****." It really didn't bother me because I was used to it. The schools were segregated at that time. The blacks went to one school, and the whites went to another.
It was the night of April 4, 1968. It was all over the news, "MLK, Jr. has been shot!" The only thing I could do was cry. We finally had a way to be equal as blacks and now all our efforts were for nothing.
In less than an hour, there were riots in the streets of Memphis. Everyone had to go home because that's what the National Guard ordered. We were put on lockdown, and no one could leave their homes.
The next day was the same, everyone was still on curfew and lockdown. There wasn't much we could do. When lockdown ended, people were protesting against MLK's murder. A lot of people were enraged about MLK's shooting. His death left a huge legacy behind. He was a peacemaker and martyr. He died a martyr trying to end racism.
But now my grandchildren are afforded the opportunity to attend diverse schools. This nationally acclaimed hero, MLK, Jr., and many other civil rights leaders died to make this happen. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. a national holiday is now observed.