James L. lived East Memphis on 1363 Woodston. Neighborhoods were very segregated in the 1960's and not a single black person loved in his neighborhood. He was a 6th grader at Colonial Elementary school. Jimmy, as everyone called him, would go to the YMCA almost everyday after school for sports- football, basketball, or baseball. He and his friends rode their bikes or walked almost everywhere.
Read MoreVernon by Roxanne X., Harding Academy
On April 4th, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis at the age of 39. After 46 years, people still remember and commemorate this respectful man who strived to advocate for the black's rights and equality in American society. Undoubtably, his efforts and achievements back then incurred huge resentment from the pro-slavery and those who were afraid of their former slaves becoming equal citizens as they were. King sacrificed his own life for the progress of civil rights m
Read MoreMr. Taylor, by Tyler P., Harding Academy
I grew up in Frayser, Memphis. The Frayser area was built for the industries in that area. Needless to say, neighborhood was full of hard working people. Everyone in my neighborhood got along very well. I also remember Memphis being voted the cleanest city in America. I had a great childhood growing up in Memphis. My mom stayed home with me and my three siblings. My dad worked at the local Kumko plant for 26 years. One major difference today is that people don't keep jobs long term like my dad did. We kids would play in the woods behind our house and rode our bikes around until it got dark. There were no worries of crime, even though it was there. The crime was still present in Memphis, but it wasn't as bad as it is now.
Read MoreMrs. Ava, by Austin J., Harding Academy
My interviewee name is Mrs. Ava. At the time time she was 4 years old. She lived in a low income house surrounded by people who believed in taking care of each other. Living in Memphis for her she said it really wasn't any peace at this time. A typical day consisted of her playing outside. She was very young at this time and couldn't remember what all she did. What she remembers about the day King was assassinated was people was scared, sad , and in disbelief because they couldn't believe he was actually dead. After King died people started rioting, looting, and other terrible things.
Read MoreMr. Clay, by Kathryn B., Harding Academy
April 4th ,1986 was the day Martin Luther King Jr. Was assassinated. On this day Mr. Clay was a ten year old boy who lived on 1532 Eleventh st. In West Memphis, Arkansas. He grew up quite nice actually. He hung around the same people everyday because that's who lived around him. They all went to the same school, church and played sports together.
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