When Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968 I was living and teaching there. I taught at what is now Rhodes College and also at Lemoyne-Owen College. The latter was a traditional Black College. Dr. King had come to Memphis to support the local Sanitation Worker strike. They were trying to get a union started in Memphis because up until then those men who collected the city’s garbage had no rights whatsoever. No health benefits, no sick leave, and no vacation time.
In a TV interview with the mayor the lead person for the Black workers was told: “You don’t want to go the Union route. Unions are all corrupt.” To which the worker’s coordinator replied: “Yes they are. About half as corrupt as most city governments.” Things had worked themselves up to a breaking point, so Dr. King was invited to come in and solve the situation. The garbage workers went on a strike that lasted six or seven weeks and were supported by the AF of L and CIO unions, The city streets and neighborhoods smelled like the dump itself.
Memphis had always been a fully segregated city, but when King was killed the place simply came apart. The whole city was on night-time lock-down and strict day time curfews. Very quickly the Mayor and City, Community organizers sponsored a huge march through the city streets right up to the City Hall. Many famous personages who were supporters of the strike spoke to the large crowd. Harry Belafonte, Bill Cosby, and several Soul groups were on the stage. The Master of Ceremonies was Rev. James Lawson.
At one point in the festivities a group of Black young people began to smash store windows and engage in serious looting. Almost at once the March’s Coordinator called out through the sound system: “Down. Right now, everyone get down.” And almost instantly some 5,000 people knelt in the street so that the police could roundup the looters. From then on things went very smoothly. This march became known as the “I am a Man” march since so many people carried signs with this motto.
My 13-year-old son and I participated in this march, and to this day he affirms that it was a turning point in his life. I must admit that I, too, count this march as a serious turning point in my life. Since that day Memphis has become a different, more open city, although there is still a long way to go. The strike was settled, the sanitation workers got their Union, and several white churches organized tours through the ghetto areas so white folks got to see the difficulties facing folks living in Black communities.
For the past couple of years prior to the March I had been teaching at the local Negro College and had developed some very rich friendships with a number of my students. During the difficult days right after the assassination the college held a memorial Service for Dr. King and two of my students called me to ask if I would like to attend the service with them. I, of course, was deeply touched by their invitation and promptly accepted to do so. It was a great privilege to honor Dr. King alongside my students.
This entire experience has remained as a crucial turning point in my own political and spiritual development. I continue to pray that Dr. King’s sacrifice will eventually prove to have been effective and worth it.