Mayer E. was born and raised in Memphis Tennessee. He saw first hand the racial tensions and the direct aftermath of Martin Luther King J.R. assassination. King, was in Memphis to support the African American garbage men’s protest for equal pay and benefit, when he was gunned down by James Earl Ray.
Where did you live? What was it like? What stand out about living in Memphis in the 1960’s?
“I was born, raised, and still live in Memphis. During the 1960’s the economy was booming and most people had jobs at that time. I remember that for most people at the time, they had no problem with the African Americans as long as they were segregated.”
Describe your life in 1968. What was a typical day like for you in 1968? School? Work? How was it different from today?
“I owned a electronic repair shop near Danny Thomas Boulevard, in downtown Memphis. I would get up in the morning and drive to work and usually get home by 6:30 pm. I installed sound systems, lighting, and did radio repair.”
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 your react? How did things change throughout the night?
“I remember the African Americans were rioting and looting on South Main Street, only a few miles away from my shop. We were afraid that they would eventually come to my shop, so we boarded up the windows. We heard over the radio at my shop when Martin Luther King was shot and because of this, we closed early and the schools were let out. Even though the riots never made it to my shop, we thought that since the police headquarters and jail was across the street, it would be a deterrent.”
Describe your night after King was shot? Where were you that night? What was the city like?
“I was at my house listening on my police scanner, as the police tried to stop the riots. After James Earl Ray assassinated King, he drove away in a white Ford Mustang. This led to fear as the car was reported to be in my area.”
What did you think of King before and after his death?
I believe that Martin Luther King wanted peace. I also believed in his message of nonviolence and thought that the riots were something he would never want in his name.
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act different or view problems differently? Do you think people's attitudes changed?
I did not see any immediate changes until Brown vs Board. I think overall, that while on live tv the African Americans were shown burning and looting business, and this tainted King’s dreams.