6 recall the horror, sadness of slayingBy Bo Petersen (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, April 4, 2008
Forty years ago tonight a gunshot tore through the nation's heart as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. A man with a rifle killed the civil rights icon on the balcony of a motel in Memphis, Tenn., where King was staying while rallying workers during the city's sanitation strike. King was a galvanizing figure whose turn-the-other-cheek appeal to better human nature made him a signal force. But at the same time his work could be as troubling for hesitant communities in his own race as it was disturbing for whites. A glimpse at how the news struck people in the Lowcountry can be gleaned from the recollections of six who would make careers advocating equal opportunity, influenced partly by King and what he stood for. 
Christine Jackson Christine Jackson The retired Charleston YWCA executive director, and first cousin of Coretta Scott King, King's wife, was holding a meeting in her office with other organizers of the Ebony Fashion Fair. A staff member interrupted to tell her the news was on television. Jackson rushed out to see. She struggled in shock back to the meeting. "No one asked me what happened. They wanted to know if my secretary would be the secretary for the meeting. Remember that was 40 years ago. That's how misunderstood he was." Unable to hold herself together, she left early and went home, where her husband could barely comfort her. "I was screaming out of control. The depth of my pain was people didn't understand or appreciate Martin Luther King. That was very, very hurtful that night." 
Jack Bass Jack Bass The College of Charleston humanities professor and co-author of "The Orangeburg Massacre," about the February, 1968, killing of civil rights protesters at South Carolina State College by state troopers, was a reporter covering the S.C. Senate, sitting in a chair at the back of the chamber near the door. The doorkeeper was black. "What I remember most vividly is a rather young, upstate, rural county senator saying, 'Well, the (racial slur) is dead.' I recall looking at the doorkeeper's face. It looked like he was doing his very best to keep tears from rolling down his cheek." 
Fred Lincoln Fred Lincoln The co-founder of the Wando-Huger Community Development Corp. and the East Cooper Planning Council was a military policeman at a base in South Korea. He was devastated at the killing of King. "It seemed like we had a voice for the first time. A man who turned the other cheek, if you killed him, what would you do to the rest of us?" Called in to duty, he didn't want to go, but did. "We had to call in all the off-duty policemen at the time. There wasn't a riot on the post, but there were a lot of white soldiers getting beaten. You felt for both sides." He understood the frustration of the black soldiers, felt for the white soldiers caught up a situation they didn't create. "You just felt such a sense of loss. But at that age, you felt that wasn't going to stop what we were trying to do with the civil rights movement. We had the sense that we weren't going to go back." 
Sen. Robert Ford Robert Ford The S.C. senator was at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, working as part of a two-man advance team with King's Poor People's Campaign in some of the most violence-prone areas of the Deep South. "Everybody was shocked when they heard he was shot. When we heard he died, everybody froze. But the staff stayed strong because that's what he would have wanted. You didn't say anything to anybody. Everybody's life was in danger every day. The movement wasn't centered around one person." 
Mary Ward Mary Ward The North Charleston NAACP president was home watching television with her husband and five small children, with whom she had talked about King and his work after meeting him during a protest march. "It was really, really a terrible experience. They were young but they knew. I asked if they remembered me talking about him and they nodded. I told them he was just killed by an assassin. They just sat with their eyes stressed, almost in a shocked position. They said, 'Oh, Mommy, really?' I said, 'Yes,' and I said, 'We just have to come together and pray for the family.' And that's what we did." 
Joe Riley Joe Riley The Charleston mayor was at home, watching television, facing a primary in the middle of a campaign for the state Legislature. "Just the sorrow. You felt the tragedy. I really was wondering, what would it mean? It's hard for people who are younger than I am to remember what things were like for African Americans in the South in 1968. But I didn't know then the civil rights movement and the advocacy for opportunity and fairness and equality for African Americans would become so profoundly important for me and so many Americans. A tragic, pivotal moment." |
Article tools
| |||
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 20 comment(s)
Posted by Early on April 4, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The killing of MLK was just a horrific event, it shut down the voice that all races wanted to hear. He truly did more for race relations than anyone before him and, yes after him. I think MLK would have shivered over Rev. Wright's speech and think that this kind of mentality just stunts the growth we made.
Posted by downtownsurvivor on April 4, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was not born during the assassination of Dr. King. As a little girl I remembered crying when hearing his speech and watching his autobiography! I will admit I was angry with the white race and I could not understand why someone would kill someone that loved everyone! Then I was taught the story of Jesus Christ-I realized that it was just history repeating itself! It is up to us to make a change! Not just one race- the entire world! And until we realize that history will keep repeating itself!
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Downtown
PLEASE tell me you did not just compare MLK to JESUS CHRIST! The comparison is not even close, but then again, maybe you worship at a location where it is taught that MLK was the modern Mohamed. MLK was not a prophet or a savior, he was a man with a vision who was killed because his vision went against the grain of what some wanted...a very different story than JESUS CHRIST. Don't deify MLK. Great man, yes; deserving of deification, no!
Oh, please feel free to get angry with the white race again. Rev. Wright will take you in his flock.
Posted by wpc3iop on April 4, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr. King's memory can best be honored by showing respect for each other and by a committment to personal responsibility...
Posted by downtownsurvivor on April 4, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
archdude
Who do you worship? I simply made a comparison of the two situations! I love Jesus and I know his story. Apparently you worship the Devil-- asking me to be angry with the white race! It is people like you that contribute to the hatred in this world. I will pray for you.
Posted by BigKountry on April 4, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Poor comparison Downtown.
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Downtown
Get over yourself...the bit about go ahead and be angry with the white race was sarcasm...but reflected in reality based upon the attitudes and actions of many in the black community.
As for my worship preference, YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT. Yep, I'm a Satanist and my father was a Baptist Minister. Hmm, could the pot be calling the kettle black. Get some real faith, some real understanding of the Gospels (not "knowing the story") and then come back and talk you phony, self-righteous, hypocritical, piece of work. You are the type that give Christians a bad name when you go out with your stupid accusations and ignorance.
Like I said, you would fit in well with Rev. Wright.
______
I do not contribute to the hatred in the world and the fact that you would say it means it is indeed you contributing to the hatred in the world because right now you would immediately be placed on my sack of sh*t list.
Posted by Elmer_J_Fudd on April 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
downtownsurvivor
You have no class. It appears you think anyone who does not equate MLK to Jesus Christ is a devil worshiper. Well, Zig Heil, baby! I guess you just made me into a 1940's mustached, Nazi who does not believe that anyone can be equal, nor their story equal to, that of Jesus Christ.
DID MLK die for trying to save the world? Did he arise after 3 days? Do people, other than some blacks, actually worship the minister? Is it MLK we have Easter and Christmas for? Does "I have a dream" equal "I will give you the kingdom of heaven"? Please, enlighten us.
Yeah, I can see some similarities based upon some religions...both were ministers, both were trying to spread a message, both were killed...that is the end of the comparison and it can be said about many, many, many people.
Please, before you make another stupid comment, think of how your stupidity is acting to tear a community apart that is already held together by tiny threads.
Posted by Hutch on April 4, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gods will was accomplished then just as it is now! His will, will forever be
done on earth and in Heaven.
God is God.
Posted by downtownsurvivor on April 4, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will support what I said because it is my opinion! I DID NOT ASK ANY OF YOU TO AGREE! I specificly said I was a young girl....MLK died trying to unite! It may be a poor comparison to you and the rest of your "clan". Oh well get over it! I will continue to live my life with the same beliefs and continue work and pay taxes just like you! Stupid? I am far from it! I guess if I am not praIsining George Bush I am worthless in your eye,LOL!
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
downtown
You need to go to counseling. No one equated anything to George Bush and your "clan" reference (meaning Klan) just shows what a racist idiot you are. Your comments are what make you worthless in my eyes.
Posted by lexylady on April 4, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
archdude, go get-um baby. You are 100% correct. I just love this stuff!!! lololol GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
Posted by downtownsurvivor on April 4, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Archdude
I don't care what I am in your eyes! My comments are my opinions. Who are you to refer me to counseling? You keep bringing up Rev. Wright. It seems like his words intimidate you! You should try a little one on one with a shrink! What you people say mean nothing to me! I never said MLK was JESUS!
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No intimidation of Rev. Wright. I just think he is gigantic moronic, buffoon who works to set us back. People like him are a major problem in this country and those who subscribe to his "teachings" are problematic.
I didn't say you said MLK=Jesus. I said that you are way off base even comparing the stories. They have no real comparison other than that mentioned previous.
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
downtown
There is more to punctuation than ! and ?
Posted by downtownsurvivor on April 4, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In my opinion YOU should join Rev. Wright. (Archdude) Your description of him is My description of you! I have three degrees I am fully aware of my punctuations.
You say I am way off base with my comparison? Great that is your opinion! They both were killed trying to make a difference! That is all I am saying! Most of the negative comments are coming from you people who have HATRED in your hearts. You become so harsh over one's opinion, then turn around and blame me for racism? Please, Please get a mirror. Then you will see the real racist........ Have a wonderful weekend. I sure will.
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 4, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MLK was not what so many claimed him to be over one speech in DC. Dig into his history and you will see.
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
downtown
I will see your three degrees and raise you another. Yes, I have more....boo hoo!
Shut your mouth...you love calling people racist, don't you? What a buffoon. From now on you will be known as the Watson Hill goober rather than the downtown survivor (yep, I bet you had it bad).
Posted by archdude on April 4, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone else get reminded of a super religious phony who is all hand raising praise giving on Sunday but has the morals and fortitude of a whore the rest of the week? But that is ok, because they can pray and repent and be forgiven everything every week...
Posted by jmw29410 on April 4, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see some of this sarcastic BS and it makes me want to hurl.
Downtown - don't think every one of us white folks is a (biblical beast of burden) like certain others. Dr King wanted to see us all work, learn and acheive as equals. I understand that fact well, as do most properly educated folks regardless of color. (And the rest make really stupid antagonistic comments on newspaper websites)