Reflection

Washington DC During the Assassination of Martin Luther King- Reflection on Interview

Hearing a primary source talk about life during the days after the assassination of Martin Luther King opened our eyes to another perspective of this event, rather than just a textbook. Her responses showed what daily life was life in America following this tragic event. Although this created short term chaos, it lead to severe changes for many others.

Ms. Wurlitzer was living in Washington D.C. during the assassination and recounted the events for us. She explained how the city was about 50% "Negroes" and "the younger activists... were impatient with Dr. King's peaceful, non-violent approach to civil disobedience." As well, we were surprised by intensity of the riots. She elucidated how the riots including burning and looting. She even remembers viewing smoke from her apartment window, as a result of the dangerous riots. Looking at her interview and her unique perspective on this memorable historical event, we wonder what perspectives were like across the country, and across the world. Now that we have insight into the day of a Washington DC worker, we can only wonder what else people were feeling and thinking during this same event.