Where did you live?What was it like? What stands out about living in memphis in the 1960’s?
Memphis, Tennessee, near midtown area. It was scary, emotional, and sad because the city was in such turmoil. You better not be driving on Poplar during the night.
Describe your life in 1968. What was a typical day like for you in 1968? work? school? How was a it different from today?
I was 8 and was in elementary school and it was scary although he was with his parents, unlike today he has a job and a family. Memphis is not the same.
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?
I was only 8 years old so I only realized what happened by listening to my parents and watching them as they were glued to the Tv watching local and national news. Certainly the whole country being upset about King’s death, but especially our city being in this depressed state regarding black and white issues and major protests and strikes from the trash collectors.’weeks went by when trash was not picked up he says. Shooting in the streets, Not all that different from ferguson.
Describe your night after King was shot? Where were you that night? What was the city like?
Cars burning, shootings...
What did you think of King before and after his death?
Wasn’t aware or much about him... I was raised in nonproductive Jewish home so was not even aware of racism or the issue.
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act different or view problems differently? Do you think people’s attitudes changed?
Yes of course it is still different to this day.
Is there anything else about that time in your life that we haven’t discussed that you’d like to add?
As a long Memphian we are infamous for, He has now lived with racism for his life.