Segregation was an uprising issue in the l960’s. Although some people were struck right in the middle of it, they were not aware of it, until the year 1968, when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Racial tension was stronger then it had ever been before. Arnold was 18 years old in 1968. He lived in an area of Memphis called the Orange Mound community on Button Street. Orange Mound was a nice, quiet, residential neighborhood at the time. He along with many others were not aware of the segregation, marches and boycotts, that were happening in some of the southern states.
Life was not much different then as it is today. Besides the racial tension, people had normal lives. Arnold’s life was routine and similar to the lifestyles of many others. He attended Melrose High School, which was a successful high school with a great sports program. Ronnie Robinson and Larry Finch were star basketball players at the school. After school Arnold would come home and do his chores. He would clean his room, do his homework,and then he would play outside. There was a flash back in Arnold’s eyes, and the happiness of his childhood, and previous life glistened through.
During the l960’s kids would play outside a lot, entire neighborhoods would be outside playing together until their parents called them inside. Arnold can remember playing football in the street with his siblings and the other neighborhood children at the time of King’s assassination. He said “ It seemed as if all the parents came out at the same time to tell their children to come inside.”
When Arnold was inside his parents told him that Martin Luther King had been shot. The whole family sat around the one television set that they owned to watch the reports, and his parents prayed that Martin would be okay. Later, the family found out that King had died. He could remember his parents and older siblings crying. Arnold paused and there was a moment of silence. His eyes filled with a sadness, and he continued, “ My father was afraid that there would be future problems in the community.” His father was right after that night everything had changed. Riots and protests broke out all over the city that night.
After King’s death, Memphis became chaotic. Sadness, hurt, and anger had fallen over the city. Memphis would not rest that night. Arnold described the rest of his night as quiet and sad. All of his family were still crying, and overall, were upset about Kings death. He could see the smoke from his house that had come from buildings that had been burned down. Angry people were everywhere, and the riots, and protest, got so bad that a dusk to dawn curfew was enforced.
After King’s assassination many thought differently of him. They saw him as more of a leader. Some did not see King as more than just a troublemaker. Arnold however thought differently then most Memphians. His thoughts did not change as far as King being a great man and spiritual leader. He was very upset that King could be punished for trying to do the right thing, and had pride towards King’s legacy.
Although some people went back to their normal lives after King’s assassination most did not. King’s assassination was a life changing moment in the eyes of most Memphians. Arnold’s life changed tremendously after Kings death and he did not view Memphis the same. The nation was in such an uproar,and things were not as predictable as they used to have been prior to his death. Life had become a lot more dangerous. People were losing jobs due to racial divide, the African-American race was discriminated against and an anger was turned towards them. The African American people held their heads high. A pride had fallen over them. They did not care how others saw them,they had hope. “African-American pride has diminished since then”, says Arnold. African-Americans have taken King’s legacy for granted. He has hope that one day we will be able to dream of Dr.King. He believes that one day all races will come together as one, and that we will accept equality. We will live together in peace, love and joy as we were created to do.