There's been lots of talk about whether or not Booker was murdered because of his appearance in Frank's film, Mississippi: A Self-Portrait. This is one of the ideas that's explored in Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story. To be clear, seven years passed between Booker's 1966 news appearance and his murder in 1973. That's a long time for someone to wait for revenge.
Nevertheless, there are a whole host of strange details about the murder, and some Greenwood residents still believe today that Lloyd "Blackie" Cork was hired to kill my grandfather. Who hired him? I don't know. One lifelong Greenwood resident told me that a white cop hired Blackie to commit the murder. Interestingly, people who witnessed the murder are really uncomfortable talking about it. Even though Booker's Place had lots of customers that night and McLaurin Street was hopping with activity, only one person testified to actually seeing Blackie fire a gun. She's alive and she's avoiding me. The cop who pistol-whipped Booker Wright still lives just a short 45 minute drive from Greenwood.
If I could drop this, I would. I don't want to create a story where there isn't one, but I also don't want to be naive and believe a tale that's full of holes. I have an indescribable, difficult to explain passion for my grandfather. My love for him is fierce. I am tormented by his murder, by the loss of a man who surely would've embraced me had he been given the chance. I'm trying to think of the word to describe my feelings. It's more than duty, it's more than feeling tasked, it's more than being compelled. I know that I may never get to the bottom of his murder. Or maybe I already have. Maybe the odd, yet simple story is the truth. What I know for certain, is that I won't have peace until I've done all that I can get to the truth.
I'm hoping to sit down with Cork where he lives in a Mississippi State prison in late September to ask finally, face-to-face, exactly what happened that night. I hope to God that he tells me the truth.
I am hoping that he comes clean with you, as what does he have to lose at this point? He needs to make peace with himself and attempt to potentially obtain a hint of forgiveness from those people whose lives he ruined and/or impacted as a result of his action(s).
ReplyDeleteI just watched the Dateline segment, and unless I nodded out, in their usual Dateline manner, they left out key-points, such as how he was killed, when, and by whom, etc... Thank you for clarifying.
I want to say thank you for doing the research and the story. My father is Silas McGee whom you interviewed for the updated version. I say thank you because I learned more about my father watching that video than I ever have talking with him in person. So thank you. Because of you, I will never look at my father the same again---and that is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteSA Brown
I can't wait until we find out who was behind all of this.The truth shall prevail.We gon start with that pistol whipper.
ReplyDeleteHe properly in a diaper now and can't remember nothing.
DeleteGood Luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI was taking a interest in learning more about this story, until that remark:
ReplyDelete"He properly in a diaper now and can't remember nothing" . This brought me back to the reality of ignorant people that can't be adults and learn from the good and the bad of the past... but instead want to keep this wound festering. It's usually the ones that lived no where near the time or place that want to throw more debris into a fire that so many suffered and died to let burn out. God Bless and be with people that truly want to move on, learn and live as caring people. [] jfg
Hey there, I agree, that wasn't the most thoughtful response. Cork's life is an interesting one. I've seen the records of all of his arrests. They tell a story, not of a violent man, but of a hungry and poor one. I think he was lost in a world where inequality and unemployment were everywhere, and he didn't have anyone to offer him any direction.
DeleteWe're not all like that. Hopefully, you'll stick around. Best to you.