Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» My how da time do fly! 50 years ago tomorrow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Same year Bobby Kennedy was too. How old were you?
16. I was not into that stuff at my age. What I remember most were the riots when MLK was killed. Why were there no riots when Bobby was killed?
This post was edited by Element 99 at April 3, 2018 11:58 AM MDT
I was 29. I turned 30 in October. Shocked and saddened and disgusted. JFK. MLKJr. Bobby. A great loss for the country in my opinion. What our country would have been like had none of that happened one can only fantasize about. I doubt that a doofylucy would occupy the White House. Thank you for your reply Ele and Happy Tuesday! :)
I was 7 years old and remember both. I had little understanding of why these men were so important to many people, but I do remember my parents being pretty upset about it and talking about it. I would come to learn more as time went on.
I cannot imagine seeing this happen through the eyes of an adult that really looked up to both of these extraordinary men.
I was sixteen. Old enough to understand the times and the controversies of the era. Unfortunately, we have been too caught up in the mythology and the cult of personality to see the times as clearly as we should. I'm not saying that Dr. King and RFK were wrong in their public efforts. The problem is that over time, martyrs become saints. They were controversial in times that were even more turbulent and mercurial than the social and political message they espoused. The risks and the dangers of public life were magnified in those days due to national upheaval. But, much like today's events, it's all a series of cause and effect.
I have studied much of these men since with an adult mind. I have studied from many sources, some very critical of them both. I am aware of their personal flaws. But I still find them to be inspirational. Both had incredible qualities that are what I value in people in general, especially leaders. I see why they left their mark.
I was devastated when JFK was assassinated. Bobby was our hope to carry on that legacy. I think Bobby was the more caring of two and might have done great things for our country. We will never know. Then Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and I remember Bobby announcing it at some rally he was at trying to keep people calm at a time when just hearing it crushed everyone. Then another assassination...this time it was Bobby. Beyond unendurable to lose both Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy in the same year. Thank you for your reply PeaPod. The anniversary of JFK's death is always sad. Bobby's too. Dr. King too. Why do the good ones always get taken out and the lousy ones remain untouched?
I cannot imagine being old enough to watch a young, charismatic man like JFK get cut down in the prime of his life. I was too young to remember it personally. He is another that I have spent countless hours learning about. How I wish we had leaders like that today.
I never grow tired of watching documentaries of Bobby and Martin. It was a different time too where people really were fighting for basic rights and both men cared deeply about it. Yes, I have certainly seen the film clip of Bobby having to break the news of MLK's assignation to his followers. Heartbreaking.
Thank you for your reply youngster. A sad day every year as is the anniversary of the assassination of JFK and Bobby Kennedy. So much sadness. So much unknown potential. Gunned down. I'm gonna ask a question that will tick off a few and I don't give a rat's a**! :)
Still a twinkle in my father's eye. My mother was pregnant with what would have been my elder sister, had she not miscarried (and had she carried to term, I'd not have been born at all).
The only members of the Kennedy family in the last 70 years I have any respect for are JFK & John John. The one good thing that came out of Chappaquiddick is that Ted never made it to the White House.
I liked Bobby lot. He seemed more caring. He might have been a great president but we will never know. Thank you for your reply BR and Happy Wednesday! :)
Element 99 