Interviewee name: Sam H.
Age in 1968:29
Where did you live? What was it like? What stands out about living in Memphis in the 1960s?
“Haha , It depends on what you want to know. The cost of living was low and at that particular time no one was making any money. It was a poverty streaking city.”
Describe your life in 1968. What was a typical day like for you in 1968 ? School ? Work? How was it different from today?
“Well it was less stressful then. The work places now are very stressful. Now everybody is depressed. I would work my 8hours and go home with no problem.”
What do you remember about the day King was assassinated? What was different than normal? How did you feel? What did you think? What were you doing when you heard? How did you react? How did people around you react? How did things change throughout the night?
“Mane please haha .I was downtown when they left the church, were He said his sermon at the Mason, that’s when they went back to the hotel. It was sad all over, The city was shut down. That’s when they started the rioting. This is similar to the man in New York right now.
Describe your night after king was shot? Where were you that night? What was the city like?
It was sadden all over. I was working with the city. We marched and it wasn’t any fun .The National Guard was there and they wouldn’t let anybody out. I had to have a pass to go to work. You try to get that image out of your system.”
I added “You were a sanitation worker then right? -“Right”
What did you think of King before and after his death?
“What would you say about him”
Me-He was a powerful and peaceful man”
Mr. Hamilton “He was a great leader ,intelligent, wonderful pastor ,and the president of SCLC.
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act different or view problems differently? Do you think people’s attitudes changes?
“Yes, you can’t say much about others judgment but you had a lot of people owning companies who started treating their employees differently. Yes she did”
Is there anything else about your life that we haven’t discussed that you’d like to add?
“Well only thing I can add is that there is more animosity towards the other race. The whites didn’t treat us right. It’s the same as now they’re just more undercover with it.”