Where did you live? What was it like? What stands out about living in Memphis in the 1960s?
“Memphis, Tennessee. Life was ok in the 60s. Nothing stood out about living in Memphis. Memphis despite the fact that 50% or more had African American population, it never really amounted to anything. Theres a more violent community now than there was back then. But life in memphis in that time was ok.”
Describe your life in 1968. What was a typical day like for you in 1968? School? Work? How was it different from today?
“There were some riots in different parts of the city like in the north and south parts of Memphis, but that was away from us. We were always concerned but nothing really happened where we were living. At that time my office was in downtown, where the baptist used to be, and again nothing major happened. There was good control by the police. Life was ok in the 60s. I dont know if you know this but I admitted the first black to a white hospital in early 1964 because later that year the Civil Rights Act was passed. When i admitted that patient to the hospital, my wife and I got threatening calls, so on and so forth. My practice grew after that. I broke the color barrier.”
What do you remember about the day King was assassinated? What was different than normal? How did you feel? What did you think? Where were you when you heard? How did you react? How did people around you react? How did things change throughout the night?
“After King was assassinated, it came on the news immediately. We were all concerned and a bit scared but luckily nothing really happened where we lived; mainly North and South Memphis. Things changed throughout the night in big cities like Detroit and Cleveland and people started destroying the cities.”
Describe your night after king was shot? Where were you that night? What was the city like?
“The night after King was shot I was at home, and we locked the doors and kept the television on. There were police around the city.”
What did you think of King before and after his death?
“King was very impressive. Preached nonviolence. Never preached for violence. He wanted peaceful demonstrations and the people around him were the ones that started the violence and he would try to stop it. He was an outstanding leader.”
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act differently or view problems differently? Do you think people’s attitudes changed?
“Yes. I think a lot more white people gained respect for the blacks. Also, a lot of Jewish people were involved since they always looked out for the victims in every situation.”