“The Day King Died”
by Dr. J. Ester Davis
Now, here we are…at the dawning of Dr. King’s 56th Anniversary Assassination. He was only 39 years old. What has changed? What part did you play? Who made it happen? Are any fences mended? Is history fading to a repeat of Jim Crow? Through the years, we have navigated bouts of profound self-reflection, some rage, peace, progress, and hope. Here and now, we face mounting years behind that awful day. We must…fill this day with reflections. Some notables remembering … the day King died:
- W. Whitaker, DFW BAM, A Favorite Native Son: “In 1968, I was a student at El Centro College. On the night that I heard about Dr. King’s assassination, I was mad as hell. Yes, violence and lawlessness ran through my mind, but love, wisdom, and compassion toward one another was stated by Pastor E. A. Greer of Forest Avenue Baptist Church, which put me on the road to recovery. ‘Martin Luther King Jr’s life was not in vain’, he said. His words helped me to become the man I am today.“
The Honorable Felicia Pitre, Dallas County District Clerk: “I remember the day that Dr. King was assassinated. I was only 8 years old, and my mother was preparing dinner while my brother and I played nearby. She cried out after hearing Walter Cronkite announce Dr. King’s assassination. Seeing my mother crying left me feeling confused, not fully understanding what had just happened but sensing something had occurred due to her reaction. I felt immense sadness without truly grasping its severity back then. I owe much gratitude to Dr. King for his tireless activism that paved the way for me to obtain a position that was previously deemed impossible solely due to race or gender. His legacy continues to inspire generations to this date.”
Dr. Keisha Lankford, Lankford Avenue: “I came on the scene in 1971, but as I began to study his life through books and documentaries, I realized how dangerous his mission was. I was astounded to learn that he fought and sacrificed for people he knew did not appreciate his efforts. This gives me strength daily to continue the fight for our children, community, justice, and equality.”
Dr. Rev. Alan Madison, Pastor and Principal, Evergreen Funeral Home: “I remember that sad day. I was in the barracks shining my boots when the news came, and the next day I was flown to Chicago for an assignment to control the rioting and protesting.”
Debra Blair Abron, Elite News Legendary Publisher: “When Dr. King was assassinated, I was 14 years old. That day, oh, I was shocked, crying, really hurt, and angry, to say the least. It was like a family member had passed away. You could just feel it; there was a shift in the atmosphere. How, why, would anyone kill him, a man who stood for justice, especially in a non-violent manner? I just knew this was an attack on us all! I felt he knew he was going to die sooner than later. As a people, I hoped we needed to do our part and stand on the platform he began to build on. I actually felt courageous and obligated to do more than ever.”
Art Fuller, U. S. Navy Retired, Washington, D.C., now 90 Years Old, Residing in Texas: “Life was good. I was a happy man. The Navy recruited me from Miles College in Birmingham as a mathematician in the upstart of computer operations designing ships. I was the only African American in this department, which meant I had my own compartment and lunch alone. The television was on in my lunch room that day, and the story was interrupted. The first news story was about Dr. King being shot. Minutes later, he was pronounced dead. I was numb! My whole life changed. Upon moving to DC, I joined New Bethel Baptist Church, where Rev. Walter Fauntroy was pastoring. I left work early that day and went to the church.”
Michael Smith, Mike’s Air, Entrepreneur, Political Consultant: “In 1968, I worked in Grand Prairie for LTV as a tooling mechanism. This was a large defense contract for Texas. We were making parts for the new 727 airplanes. On this day, with so many other assassinations before Dr. King’s, the mood was sobering but simmering in slow motion. The plant leadership thought it was a good idea to call it a day and sent everybody home. “
Esterdavis2000@gmail.com
