The person I interviewed was my cousins grandmother Lynn J. She was born in 1953 and was 15 years old in 1968. She lived in South Memphis.
In South Memphis the blacks were underpolld. Even though the blacks weren't treated us equal they were able to watch movies with the whites. The police treated us like we were wild animals. They pushed us and dumped trash on us. I was a happy teen/pre teen. I can track, I was the oldest child and I had a smoking boyfriend.
She was at home when I first found out, everyone was depressed,sad, and terrified. My family and I were extremely sad. People would start rioting, stealing, and loitering. Even though I was young I knew what it was a life changing event because of my parents reactions.
I thought Martin was so brave to face so much hat,racism, and going to jail for basic human rights. Now that he's gone he has a place in history that positive. I aspire to have the wisdom that he had. Some people would still not but for the most part older people acted proud. Some people because more visible In civil rights movement. Some tried to be as powerful as Martin, but the message wasn't as strong, and some activist that married with him actually hated him.