Life for Wilson in the l960s was simple and happy. Wilson lived in Memphis, Tennessee in a small neighborhood in a nice and cozy one-story house. During the l960’s there was much racism, and African Americans were protesting and demanding equal rights. Wilson remembers most of the life changing events that took place in this period of time. The black sanitation workers were protesting to be treated equally and to have better Working conditions. African-Americans wanted change, and they wanted change right then. One man that stood out for all African Americans was Dr. Martin Luther King jr. Dr. King would soon change how African Americans were treated, and his march for freedom would be woven throughout the south. Dr.King was a great man who did not fight against whites with violence; he only peacefully “fought against them with words,”,. The following events that took place would change the future America forever.
Wilson was in the tenth grade, sophomore year at East High. Wilson was fifteen years old at the time. No matter where Wilson went though, there was always racism or African Americans protesting for equal rights. People knew there were maniacs out there who wanted to get rid of Dr. King, and King himself knew that too. Sometimes there were riots, led by African Americans, many african americans protested peacefully and just wanted there rightfully deserved rights like everyone else. Overall for Wilson, disregarding the racism, he had a nice life. He could walk around without worrying someone would attack or mug him. Until the day that made the history books. It is forever remembered as a day that a man fighting for the freedom of his friends and family was killed. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated. The news was unbelievable. It caused an uproar through the city of Memphis.
It seemed perfect, the day Martin Luther King was assassinated. Of course, no one knew what would happen that fateful day. Wilson was at school, minding his own business, when he heard about the horrifying news. Word of the fall of Martin Luther King spread through the city like a wild fire, like a disease. Almost everyone had heard the news and was shaken by it. East High was let out of course, fearing the worst was yet to come. They were right to let the students out of school, the worst had come. People knew there were going to be major riots. Everyone in the city probably rushed home to safety, fearing for their lives. Wilson went home shook by the news. Hopefully he could survive the coming night where all evil and wickedness would reign over Memphis. Wilson went home, and listened to a police radio scanner. He heard the constant chatter of the police telling each other there was a riot here, an uproar there, an upheaval everywhere.Then it became serious. The National Guard came in with tanks. Wilson saw the tanks rolling.