Where did you live? What was it like? What stands out about living in Memphis in the 1960s?
I Lived on Winchester and Elvis Presley blvd in the Dove Creek apartments. There were almost no black kids at home or in school. There were 1800 kids and 5 black kids from 7-12 grade.
Describe your life in 1968. What was a typical day like for you in 1968? School? Work?
I went to school, played sports of all kinds, went home and ate dinner.
How was it different from today?
Not too much different, I work know instead of going to school.
What do you remember about the day King was assassinated?
Doctor King was there to represent the sanitation workers. I had just got out of school, and was eating dinner at the time.
What was different than normal?
It was a pretty big deal. We had to be off the streets by dark. Everything was shut down. There was total chaos.
How did you feel? What did you think?
I just knew what my parents told me. Everyone was scared because we didn't know what would happen.
Where were you when you heard?
I was at home eating dinner.
How did people around you react? How did things change throughout the night?
There was a total polarization between Black and White kids. Black Kids would throw bricks, but we weren't around blacks much. Still, we didn’t talk to black kids, and they didn’t talk to us.
Describe your night after King was shot? Where were you that night? What was the city like?
My parents put the fear of God in us because no one knew what would happen.
What did you think of King before and after his death?
I didn't know who he was. He had just come to Memphis and he was representing the sanitation workers. I only knew what my parents told me
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act different or view problems differently? Do you think people’s attitudes changed?
It created many opportunities for people to take advantage of. Alot of real estate people and developers made millions. All these little towns would never have happened. Atoka and Mumford wouldn't have existed. There would still be cows there. Sad part about it is that if you listen to Dr. King’s speech, he was right on. He would be so ashamed today. What Dr. King wanted is 100% opposite of what happened, look at the crime Blacks commit.