Americana #9
Delaware 1968
This 1968 Delaware plate reflects a painful chapter in American history -- the Wilmington Riot that followed MLK's assassination. The unrest, marked by looting and fires, led to the deployment of the National Guard for nine months, one of the longest such occupations since the Civil War. This plate, beautiful in design, stands in stark contrast to the ugliness it represents, symbolizing a time of deep division, unrest, and racial tension in America.
Along with this plate, there's an interview with Mr. Ricci, who owned a small market in the area where the riots took place. His story is touching and gives us a glimpse into the lives of Wilmington’s black and white residents before the unrest, revealing the human cost of such a divisive and unfortunate period in history.
