Oral+History+Questions

TOPIC: MLK Assassination

INTERVIEW SUBJECT: My Grandma

What was your status in life at the time of the MLK Assassination?


 * I was living in northern Illinois, married, and a stay at home mom to four grade school age children.**

What sticks out most in your mind about the MLK Assassination?


 * The intensity of the riots across the nation that followed his assassination.**

What was the reaction of the people in your community to the MLK Assassination? What was the mood of your city/community after the MLK Assassination?


 * Shock, disbelief, not expected. Because there is a large black population in Chicago, there were riots, lotting, and arson. The black Community wanted justice for the killing of their leader, so they adopted a path of extreme violence.**

In your opinion, has MLK been honored and remembered enough for his civil rights feats?


 * I think sometimes too much. There doesn't need to be a national holiday. There are many other leaders who have made equal or greater contributions to the civil rights movement. He should be remembered, but it goes to far. By making him so renowned, racist whites get the fuel for their anti-black sentiments.**

What impact did the MLK Assassination have on you?


 * Fear that racial harmony would take a step back because of violence. Knowing that there were segments in the black movement that believed in violence and with his assassination, the more radial members would become the spokesmen for the black community and promote violence.**

In your opinion, what's MLK's greatest accomplishment?


 * Through his nonviolent approach, he was able to attract a large segment of the white population to endorse black equality.**

Do you still see the residual effects of MLK's actions on society today?


 * Yes. Since he's such a prominent figure in US history, his actions are still being remembered and referenced to such as in his "I have a Dream" speech. His actions are referenced to more than say the Kennedys. There hasn't been a black leader as prominent as him, so even today blacks still see him as their leader.**