This is him, the man who murdered my grandfather. His name is Lloyd Cork and he was 22 years old when he shot Booker Wright. He's been in prison for 38 years.
We were not allowed to interview him with cameras. The state of Mississippi would not grant permission. Cork and I have exchanged letters and I am hoping to sit down with him face-to-face in a few months. The film is over, but the search for the truth continues for me.
Hi, Yvette! Thanks for the really quick response!! I saw your and your grandfather's story (in part) on Democracy Now. It's such a compelling story that I'm fascinated by it and grateful that you've decided to get to the bottom of it.
I will be keeping up with any updates. Good luck to you and thank you!
Thanks for being interested in this story. People remembering him keeps a piece of him alive, I think. I just created a Facebook page, Searching for Booker Wright...I'll be leaving lots of updates there as well, so you may want to "like" that page. Best to you! https://www.facebook.com/SearchingForBookerWright
ms. yvette, i just saw your film, & i must say its a inspireing story, your grandfather inspires me !!! i am very hurt to know how, your family lost your grand father, but on the other hand im so happy & filled with pride when i think of what he stood for, what he represented !!! & the things he did for his family & community. my grand fathers name was also booker, as is my father. i had not heard about this story untill i saw the preview on tv. i feel like a million things to say, but i will leave you with this, i wont forget ur family's story, i will keep up with every update..if i can ever be of service please let me know . god bless u & urs
I think it's so cool that you come from a line of Bookers. Thank you for connecting and for supporting this story. Lester Holt said that he can't believe that Booker Wright isn't included in the history books. My goal is to make his story go viral, I want as many people as possible to know about his bravery and what he had to overcome to achieve the American dream. So, I unapologetically accept your support! GO BOOKER WRIGHT@@@!!!!
I have never heard this story and I am so, so very sad! Your grandfather saw how the Jews were treated and in comparison, we are still being treated as such, except no concentration camps; but what is poverty and the ghetto? America truly needs a realization of what is still going on. I moved to the southern region last year and I have never experience so-called christian white folks cuss you out, call you a nigger and then say Jesus loves you. WTF?!! And, I am so curious why that young black dude killed him? I wonder how much he was paid; MF!!! Well,I support whatever you do! I would love to help as well. Being part Native American, there is so much racism in the tribe! Not from Native looking folks but the white ones who suddenly are Native American! I wish someone can help me get this out!
Just saw the story on Dateline about your Grandfather, and was inspired to tears. I was alive, but very young, seeing the Civil Rights marches, riots, etc. on television. I'll never forget those images. I was, thankfully, brought up in a home with no prejudice that I observed. I am presently doing a play that, while a comedy, deals with more current issues of racism and classism in the Texas of 1992, and was wondering: Does it still exist? What was it *really like*? What *is* it really like now? Watching this film helped me to understand that while it seems to be much better than it was, these prejudices and fears for the South go back a LONG WAY, and will still be awhile before they completely are gone. However, it does my heart good to see so many compassionate people responding well to your Grandfather's story, just as I did. Good luck to you in your search to find your Grandfather's essence, Yvette!
Thank you so much for connecting with this story! I would agree with your assessment. As a nation, and in the South, we've come very far in terms of race. We're just not finished with this important work. Booker Wright's essence, some days it eludes, some days I can feel him. This process has been an amazing one, but I would I give it all up for an hour with him.
@^^ not only have you been unnecessarily vulgar, but unclear as to whether your venom is intended for mr cork or ms johnson. we dont even know the stance this vitriolic outburst takes. it accomplishes nothing but to deface this lovely and thoughtful blog. ill leave this seperate from my intended post, that both may be deleted when they come to ms johnson's attention.
ms johnson, i just saw bookers place. it was gripping. this coming off a viewing of a film that heavily featured interviews the son of metger evars' killer, and another detailing the sovereignty commission and their direct role in the murders of the sncc three. reading john stuart mills' on liberty earlier today certainly put me in an interesting frame of mind for learning about the common connection to what i hadnt ever realized was such a tragically pivotal place in the civil rights movement.
your grandfather was a very brave man. thank you for sharing his story with us.please, should you find the time, give us an update on your conversations with mr cork, and any new information regarding the possible involvement of the greenwood police in orchestrating this seemingly senseless crime.
I am also very much interested to know if you ever talked to Mr. Cork. I just watched the documentary this morning on Netflix and it really struck something in me. I've grown up in the south (central Florida) my whole life and my father's family came from Pulaski, Tennessee decades ago, so I've kind of grown up around that subtle racist and prejudice attitude. Growing up I didn't exactly agree with it but it was all I knew. As I've gotten older and more mature (I'm 26) I have realized even if subtle, any prejudice is wrong and hateful even when you don't even mean to be. Thank you so much for telling his story. He makes you want to move forward together and to love everyone for who they are and not fall into the trap of stereotyping and being prejudiced against people who are different from you. He makes you realize that underneath our skin color and our socioeconomic situation, we are all people with real feelings. Thank you :)
As I'm typing I'm watching your story and it's things like this that need to be shown on Black History Month i love Black history and I never even heard of your grandfother till now . thank you for sharing your story
RIP Mr. Booker. Your bravery will forever be etched in American History. Kudos to Yvette and her relentless drive to bring this very very important story to light. It's a very sad tale to hear about someone lose their life because they spoke the truth!!! Prayers to the family as they continue to fight for justice!!!
Have you or anyone else attempted to interview Llody Cork?
ReplyDeleteHello there,
DeleteWe were not allowed to interview him with cameras. The state of Mississippi would not grant permission. Cork and I have exchanged letters and I am hoping to sit down with him face-to-face in a few months. The film is over, but the search for the truth continues for me.
this is amazing
DeleteDoes anyone know if he is still alive?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, Yvette! Thanks for the really quick response!! I saw your and your grandfather's story (in part) on Democracy Now. It's such a compelling story that I'm fascinated by it and grateful that you've decided to get to the bottom of it.
ReplyDeleteI will be keeping up with any updates. Good luck to you and thank you!
Thanks for being interested in this story. People remembering him keeps a piece of him alive, I think. I just created a Facebook page, Searching for Booker Wright...I'll be leaving lots of updates there as well, so you may want to "like" that page. Best to you!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/SearchingForBookerWright
ms. yvette, i just saw your film, & i must say its a inspireing story, your grandfather inspires me !!! i am very hurt to know how, your family lost your grand father, but on the other hand im so happy & filled with pride when i think of what he stood for, what he represented !!! & the things he did for his family & community. my grand fathers name was also booker, as is my father. i had not heard about this story untill i saw the preview on tv. i feel like a million things to say, but i will leave you with this, i wont forget ur family's story, i will keep up with every update..if i can ever be of service please let me know . god bless u & urs
ReplyDeleteI think it's so cool that you come from a line of Bookers. Thank you for connecting and for supporting this story. Lester Holt said that he can't believe that Booker Wright isn't included in the history books. My goal is to make his story go viral, I want as many people as possible to know about his bravery and what he had to overcome to achieve the American dream. So, I unapologetically accept your support! GO BOOKER WRIGHT@@@!!!!
DeleteI have never heard this story and I am so, so very sad! Your grandfather saw how the Jews were treated and in comparison, we are still being treated as such, except no concentration camps; but what is poverty and the ghetto? America truly needs a realization of what is still going on. I moved to the southern region last year and I have never experience so-called christian white folks cuss you out, call you a nigger and then say Jesus loves you. WTF?!! And, I am so curious why that young black dude killed him? I wonder how much he was paid; MF!!! Well,I support whatever you do! I would love to help as well.
DeleteBeing part Native American, there is so much racism in the tribe! Not from Native looking folks but the white ones who suddenly are Native American! I wish someone can help me get this out!
Watching the story of Booker right now on TV. Wow, how interesting.
ReplyDeleteI watched a documentary on YouTube. To be honest I didn’t know who he was until I watched it. ❤️🙏🏽
DeleteI would like to hear Lloyd Corks story, I'm thinking he was paid to kill Mr. Wright.
ReplyDeleteI too would like to hear his story
DeleteJust saw the story on Dateline about your Grandfather, and was inspired to tears. I was alive, but very young, seeing the Civil Rights marches, riots, etc. on television. I'll never forget those images. I was, thankfully, brought up in a home with no prejudice that I observed. I am presently doing a play that, while a comedy, deals with more current issues of racism and classism in the Texas of 1992, and was wondering: Does it still exist? What was it *really like*? What *is* it really like now? Watching this film helped me to understand that while it seems to be much better than it was, these prejudices and fears for the South go back a LONG WAY, and will still be awhile before they completely are gone. However, it does my heart good to see so many compassionate people responding well to your Grandfather's story, just as I did. Good luck to you in your search to find your Grandfather's essence, Yvette!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for connecting with this story! I would agree with your assessment. As a nation, and in the South, we've come very far in terms of race. We're just not finished with this important work. Booker Wright's essence, some days it eludes, some days I can feel him. This process has been an amazing one, but I would I give it all up for an hour with him.
DeleteDie...seriously, you piece of shit!
ReplyDeleteBitch u die seriously u racist piece of shit he got family too
Delete@^^ not only have you been unnecessarily vulgar, but unclear as to whether your venom is intended for mr cork or ms johnson. we dont even know the stance this vitriolic outburst takes. it accomplishes nothing but to deface this lovely and thoughtful blog. ill leave this seperate from my intended post, that both may be deleted when they come to ms johnson's attention.
ReplyDeletems johnson, i just saw bookers place. it was gripping. this coming off a viewing of a film that heavily featured interviews the son of metger evars' killer, and another detailing the sovereignty commission and their direct role in the murders of the sncc three. reading john stuart mills' on liberty earlier today certainly put me in an interesting frame of mind for learning about the common connection to what i hadnt ever realized was such a tragically pivotal place in the civil rights movement.
ReplyDeleteyour grandfather was a very brave man. thank you for sharing his story with us.please, should you find the time, give us an update on your conversations with mr cork, and any new information regarding the possible involvement of the greenwood police in orchestrating this seemingly senseless crime.
I am also very much interested to know if you ever talked to Mr. Cork. I just watched the documentary this morning on Netflix and it really struck something in me. I've grown up in the south (central Florida) my whole life and my father's family came from Pulaski, Tennessee decades ago, so I've kind of grown up around that subtle racist and prejudice attitude. Growing up I didn't exactly agree with it but it was all I knew. As I've gotten older and more mature (I'm 26) I have realized even if subtle, any prejudice is wrong and hateful even when you don't even mean to be. Thank you so much for telling his story. He makes you want to move forward together and to love everyone for who they are and not fall into the trap of stereotyping and being prejudiced against people who are different from you. He makes you realize that underneath our skin color and our socioeconomic situation, we are all people with real feelings. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteAs I'm typing I'm watching your story and it's things like this that need to be shown on Black History Month i love Black history and I never even heard of your grandfother till now . thank you for sharing your story
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job I'm part of the movement my sister
ReplyDeleteRest in Heaven Mr.Booker
ReplyDeleteBe Blessed Mr.Booker Wright...Rest Among The Angels
ReplyDeleteRIP Mr. Booker. Your bravery will forever be etched in American History. Kudos to Yvette and her relentless drive to bring this very very important story to light. It's a very sad tale to hear about someone lose their life because they spoke the truth!!! Prayers to the family as they continue to fight for justice!!!
ReplyDeleteEven sadder is, that there are too many of these stories.
ReplyDelete