Age in 1968: 16
Where did you live? What was it like? What stands out about living in Memphis in the 1960s?
“Well I actually lived in Memphis at the time, specifically on 7th street. At time it wasn’t much crime, more of a laid back city. However, something that stood out about living in Memphis in the 1960s was the whole MLK movement, the peaceful protests and boycotts... A lot of people protest for what they believed in at the time by the influence of Martin Luther King. “
Describe your life in 1968. What was a typical day like for you in 1968? School? Work? How was it different from today?
“A typical day for me in 1968 was going to my school at the time, which was Manansas High School. I was the oldest sibling and would come and watch my younger siblings. I had no job at the time because I did have to watch my younger siblings to help my mother. It’s different from today because kids that was my age then do not know how much you had to do in order to get things.
I feel like today things are just handed to kids.”
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 remember that they were having a meeting at a church the night before. Something that was different about that day was that it was fairly dark outside. When he was assassinated I felt really sad, I even cried. I was at home when I heard about it, taking the clothes in from the clothes line outside. The people around me was just as sad and quiet. After that many people started rioting and was furious that this happened to a great man.”
Describe your night after King was shot? Where were you that night? What was the city like?
“The night was again crazy people were extremely upset. Loitering, rioting, protests and more occurred. I was once again at home with my family. After his death people finally started to speak up for what they truly believed was right.”
What did you think of King before and after his death?
“I looked up to him and many black people did because we didn’t have a black man to be brave enough to speak for our freedom and rights. Even after his death, I looked up to him even more. He was such a God- fearing and caring man. He believed in our rights and made a huge impact on blacks till today.”
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act different or view problems differently? Do you think people’s attitudes changed?
“Life did change after his death. He inspired many people to follow in his footsteps and stand up for what’s right. Many people’s attitudes changed towards Martin Luther King but I don’t think it was enough people. I did notice that people act differently as far as bravely doing what’s right”
Is there anything else about that time in your life that we haven’t discussed that you’d like to add?
“I believe everything you asked covered my knowledge about that day.”