April 2nd, 1968, Jersey City, New Jersey. The Powells lived in a two family unit on Claremont Avenue. They lived on the top floor with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen and living room. It was a lower income, urban neighborhood. Outside, the sidewalks were cracked. The houses all had a deck, a first floor with one door and window, and two windows on the second floor. These houses were stacked tight to each other, as if the builder wanted to squeeze as many people possible. Everyone here shared the same experiences in this predominantly black neighborhood. The street of Claremont Avenue was filled with friendships and connections, creating a close community.
The Powells had a similar routine every day. Elijah and Barbara rotated who would wake up before work to cook breakfast for their 5-year-old daughter, Karen, and newborn son Terence, leaving for work. Whoever didn’t work that day took care of the kids. Before leaving, they would talk about what was going on in the town and the world. Recently, with Martin Luther King Jr.’s march coming up, that was what all the talk was about. With all of the work he was doing for the black community, everyone was talking about him.
“He was an icon,” Elijah Powell remembered years later.
Today, before Elijah left, the conversation was about Barbara’s last chance to go to Memphis with her friends to attend Dr. King’s march.
Barbara wanted to go so bad. She knew what an amazing experience it would be to witness his speech. But she also knew she had to be home to take care of her kids and go to work.
The next day, April 3, 1968 was the day of King’s return to Memphis. A week earlier he led a march that turned very violent. It was odd considering King’s commitment to non-violent protest. The march’s path was down Beale Street, known for the musician W.C. Handy who helped create blues. It was a typical main street in town, filled with local shops. The purpose of this march was to support the 1968 sanitation workers strike. This strike started in February of 1968, when two garbage collectors were crushed to death by a malfunctioning truck. This was not seen as the only example of mistreatment of black employees. It was also the last straw to many in the community. This protest was supported by both the black and white members of the community. The strike was followed up with nonviolent protests, like sit ins and marches. The police used mace and tear gas against the protestors, and they arrested hundreds of them. On March 18th, King Jr. addressed the largest indoor crowd ever seen during the Civil Rights Movement supporting the March.
“You are demonstrating that we can stick together. You are demonstrating that we are all tied in a single garment of destiny, and that if one black person suffers, if one black person is down, we are all down,” King Jr. said.
Dr. King. wanted his next march in Memphis to be paired with a city wide work stoppage. Along with this, 22,000 students decided to skip school to participate in the
march. Thousands of people parading down the street with posters stating “I am a Man”. The streets were filled with people, and was led by Dr.King who linked arms to those next to him. During the march, a group of young kids self titled as the “Invaders” started destroying all the shops and started a riot. The police were prepared for any opportunity they could get to stop this march and were aligned opposite those marching, with gas masks on and clubs in hand. The attacked both the peaceful protesters and those creating violence. They followed civilians into a temple and threw tear gas at them, they beat people on the streets with clubs, and shot and killed a 16 year old boy. Dr. King originally did not want to return to Memphis, but realized this city was a symbol for nonviolent protest.
Barbara followed what Dr. King was doing on April 3rd. Barbara stopped what she was doing when it was time for Dr. King’s speech and went to the TV to watch. King was at the Mason Temple ,Church of God in Christ Headquarters, speaking to a packed audience. The audience was not just an all black crowd, but filled with white people as well. This was not Dr. King’s biggest audience, but it was filled with hundreds of press members. He stood at the podium and began to speak.
“Well, I don't know what will happen now,” Dr. King was saying. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about
After the speech, the people who watched the speech on Claremont Ave praised Dr. King. Barbara heard her neighbors voices when they talked about it. She was mesmerized by how eloquently Dr. King talked, and how powerful his message was. Her friends who called her right after the speech told her it was one of the best things they had ever witnessed.
April 4th, 1968. Both Elijah and Barbara were off from work. Barbara was home with the kids while Elijah went to the barbershop for a haircut.
Barbara kept up with little chores around the house as the TV played in the background. She knew that there would be some coverage of King throughout the day.
Elijah’s barber shop was your typical black barbershop. Three barbers and a row of chairs along the wall. Everyone who went in was a part of the community. They were united through skin color and renewed hopes for the future. There was also friendly banter, as they poked fun at each other.
Then CBS anchor Walter Cronkite cut into the regular television broadcast.
“Dr. Martin Luther King, the apostle of non-violence in the civil rights movement, has been shot to death in Memphis, Tennessee," Cronkite said. “Police have issued an all-points bulletin for a well-dressed, young white man seen running from the scene. Officers also reportedly chased and fired on a radio-equipped car containing two white men,”.
Someone who heard the report told Elijah about the assassination. Who would want to kill him?
People all over the town were in disbelief. Dr. King’s murder was the topic of conversation everywhere.
Barbara kept thinking, like others, why would someone do this?
On his way home from the barber shop, Elijah felt the pain in the community. Dr. King was not just a public figure. He felt like a family member.
When Elijah got home from the barbershop, everyone in the neighborhood was outside, talking about what just had happened.
The streets and sidewalks of Claremont Avenue was filled with all those who resided there, trying to gather their thoughts on this traumatic experience. These people lost one of their own. Recurring questions of who would want to do this, and how this could happen. The most powerful conversations going on were the ones about what happens next. To the black community Dr. King was a beacon of light. He gave them hope for a brighter future, he provided them with a belief that things would get better. But in an instant, that was gone. People were stuck wondering who’s going to take care of them now. A feeling of emptiness overcame the Powells, and those that they spoke to. Could things now take a turn for the worst with Dr. King gone? Worst of all, what is going to happen to my family?
In the following days leading up to the funeral, Elijah, Barbara and others waited for another powerful black figure to take charge for what Dr. King started. There was a void.
On the day of the funeral, everyone was watched the service on TV. The Powell family did the same. It was a powerful and sad moment.
“I think the white community and black community equally, at least the ones that I know, all felt the same way. I know the girls that I talked to at work felt the same way that I did. It was so emotional and disappointing seeing a tragedy like this,” said Barbara.
The funeral service was led by Rev. Ralph Abernathy at Dr. King’s home church, Ebenezer Baptist. On the TV, people could see celebrities, presidential candidates and other civil rights leaders all in attendance. Outside of the church, 60,000 people listened to the service through loudspeakers.
Elijah watched the service; for the most part in silence. At one point, he asked Karen why she was crying. He didn’t realize that someone that young felt the impact of this loss.
Years later, Barbara still remembers the day of his speech through his assassination and funeral. To her, it is very hard to forget. She had one regret.
“I really wish I took advantage of the opportunity to go see him. I took it for granted, like you take a concert for granted thinking I could just go next time. So when this happened I was especially hurt,” Barbara said.
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