Lena Horne

S = Standifer
H = Lena Horne
M = Man

M If you could introduce yourself. Tell us briefly about how you knew Dr. King, the impact he had on your life, your reaction to his death, and what you would tell young Americans today who never had the chance to know Dr. King.......
H In how many words do you want that?

M If you could do it in a minute that would be great. If not we have what we need already and I can edit it.
H I'm Lena Horne and I was lucky as many of my generation was in having a man like Dr. King in our lives. He came at a time that we needed to take a long look at each other and see how similar we were. Every color I can think of and nationality, not only in America, but in every other country we were all touched by him because he made us like each other and respect each other. And I think that young people today would get a great deal of encouragement and help from knowing how close we could be if we had a man like him around.

M Ok good___the reaction to his death by doing the question....
H How did I feel?

M Maybe____like now
H How did I feel?

M Just recalling...I remember the day that Dr. King died...you know whatever.
H I remember the day that Dr. King died. I saw it on television as many other people did. I wasn't angry at the beginning and I felt ___hurt. I was. It was like something very personal in my life had been touched and finished. But I had made a promise to myself that I would try to be kinder to other people___things he said. After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me I began to think how bad everybody else must be feeling. It wasn't a nice time.

M ___emotional announcement _____words written down___
H _________

M Hi I'm Lena Horne.
H Ok.

M Got that so far? Don't miss the all star tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on this station. It's a celebration life.
H _______Do I have to say who I am again?

M Yes.
H This is Lena Horne. Don't miss the all star tribute to Martin Luther King on this station. It's a celebration of life.

M Lets do it again ______.
H This is Lena Horne. Please don't miss the all star tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King on this station. It's a celebration of life.

M And one more take, a little tighter____.
H Ok?

M Wait one second____.
H This is Lena Horne. Don't miss the all star tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King on this station. It's a celebration of life.

<Pause>

H ...you mean Malcolm X?

S Malcolm X. It says that ___retirement has something to do with in the '60's.
H Yes. I love Dr. King but I think Malcolm X raised my conscienceness about myself and my people and other people more than any person I know. I knew him before he became Malcolm X. We had met casually. I had not remembered but he remembered and we had talked to each other. And he made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. And yet he had peace in his heart and I got softer through knowing what he was saying. Yes he exerted a big influence on me.

S Thank you. This will go in the Michigan archives but more than that all the United Negro College Fund schools will see this and the black students want to know this specific from you.
H Thank You.

END OF INTERVIEW