On November 19, 2008, The Triborough Bridge was officially re-named The Robert Francis Kennedy Memorial Bridge. It was forty years ago this past June when Bobby Kennedy was gunned down by an assasin after winning the California Democratic presidential primary. We can only guess at what would have happenned if Bobby Kennedy faced Richard Nixon in the 1968 election. Perhaps some close friends would be alive today. Perhaps there would be peace.
After the assasination of Martin Luther King in April of 1968, Bobby predicted that in 40 years we would elect a black man to our highest office.
The tribute on 11/19/08 at the RFK Bridge included many speakers. This is what Mayor Bloomberg said:
Robert F. Kennedy is a perfect match in both regards. He climbed mountains — literally. In fact, there’s one in Canada named for him. But he also scaled plenty of mountains in his political career, cracking down on organized crime, helping his brother resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, and fighting for equal opportunity for all Americans — from Bed-Stuy to Birmingham.
As United States attorney general, a U.S. senator from New York, and later, as a candidate for president, Robert F. Kennedy thought on a grand scale and achieved what many thought impossible.
He stood at the summit and saw the true soul of America. And like the great bridge that stretches above us, he tied us together: people of every color, every class, every creed. He united us — as New Yorkers and Americans — in the common cause of social justice. He devoted his life to the belief that America should be a place where any child — regardless of race or religion — has an equal shot at realizing the American dream of getting a good education, and of being elected to our nation’s highest office. He knew that day would come. And it has.
His most famous quote is:
"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were and ask why not."
We miss you Bobby!
DD
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Struggle Continues (No on 8)
My friends, as we rejoiced in the fact that our beloved America finaly boldly announced to the world that we are truly free, the cause of liberty was sadly silenced in some quarters on November 4, 2008. California passed Proposition 8 which disallowed marriage between persons of the same sex. A small victory occurred when Connecticut joined Massachusetts as the only 2 states that allow such unions.
On November 15, 2008, there were rallies in every major city in America to raise awareness to the fact that there are currently about 30 MILLION Americans who are not allowed to wed. In 1968, there were 16 States where it was illegal for people from different races to wed.
The other night, I watched a movie that was made that year (1968). It was "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" starring Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Sidnet Poitier, among others. It featured some pretty dated dialogue concerning a "colored" man marrying a white woman. The subject was taboo at that time 40 years ago. I wonder if Derek Jeter's parents saw that film!
When President Clinton passed the law that would not exclude gay men and women from the military, there were some people who were upset by that. Some were afraid that this would affect them adversely. Perhaps their fears were based on misconceptions and lies. It did not adversely affect the military but allowed young patriotic Americans who happened to be gay, to proudly serve their country as they had all along but no longer under a shroud of secrecy and false shame. My Dad once told me that when he and his comrades were under fierce attack on Anzio Beach, he couldn't care in the least who they slept with at home. When they came home in boxes, they were no less heroes because they happened to be gay.
So why are people so afraid that gay men and women could marry? How does this hurt anyone? Are our archaic religious beliefs so pervasive that an entire segment of our population can be legally discriminated against? Love is good. Please remember that a public affirmation of love serves us all and does no harm.
I suppose that fear of one's own sexuality probably plays a role. Another is the fear that your child may be gay. Once we understand that being gay is not an affliction, but another diversity to be celebrated, we will never get out of this cycle of hate and fear.
We are all diminished by our acceptance of legal prejudice. If your anti gay feelings are solely based on your religious beliefs, I offer you a few words:
"Judge not, that ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1
If you are unable to accept the truth, then please get out of the way.......or be judged.
DD
On November 15, 2008, there were rallies in every major city in America to raise awareness to the fact that there are currently about 30 MILLION Americans who are not allowed to wed. In 1968, there were 16 States where it was illegal for people from different races to wed.
The other night, I watched a movie that was made that year (1968). It was "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" starring Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Sidnet Poitier, among others. It featured some pretty dated dialogue concerning a "colored" man marrying a white woman. The subject was taboo at that time 40 years ago. I wonder if Derek Jeter's parents saw that film!
When President Clinton passed the law that would not exclude gay men and women from the military, there were some people who were upset by that. Some were afraid that this would affect them adversely. Perhaps their fears were based on misconceptions and lies. It did not adversely affect the military but allowed young patriotic Americans who happened to be gay, to proudly serve their country as they had all along but no longer under a shroud of secrecy and false shame. My Dad once told me that when he and his comrades were under fierce attack on Anzio Beach, he couldn't care in the least who they slept with at home. When they came home in boxes, they were no less heroes because they happened to be gay.
So why are people so afraid that gay men and women could marry? How does this hurt anyone? Are our archaic religious beliefs so pervasive that an entire segment of our population can be legally discriminated against? Love is good. Please remember that a public affirmation of love serves us all and does no harm.
I suppose that fear of one's own sexuality probably plays a role. Another is the fear that your child may be gay. Once we understand that being gay is not an affliction, but another diversity to be celebrated, we will never get out of this cycle of hate and fear.
We are all diminished by our acceptance of legal prejudice. If your anti gay feelings are solely based on your religious beliefs, I offer you a few words:
"Judge not, that ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1
If you are unable to accept the truth, then please get out of the way.......or be judged.
DD
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Night For The Ages
We witnessed history tonight! It was as if we were present at the signing of The Declaration Of Independence, or if we were present during The Gettysburg Address. We saw the like of women's suffrage coming to fruition and our victory in World War II. It was akin to John Kennedy promising conquest of the new frontier or Ronald Reagan challenging The Soviets to tear down that wall!
Or perhaps Jackie Robinson taking up his position at second base in Ebbett's Field.
I am proud to be an American tonight. Proud because I have seen our beloved country rise to a plateau I never honestly expected to see. I witnessed history. America has been reborn again. We are the best. We can overcome hate, prejudice, injustice, and slavery. We can sing in harmony, in one voice, and proclaim to the world that this is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I was cynical and highly doubtful that America had the capability to be great again. Since John Kennedy was assassinated, our leaders have been lacking in many ways. Tonight, we have A New Hope for greatness, not seen since I was a child.
In 1968, before he was assassinated, Robert Kennedy said that it would be 40 years before a black person would be elected president.
I was 13 in 1972. That was the first presidential campaign that I was seriously interested in. Sister Ruth ( My teacher in 8th grade) made me take the McGovern button off my tie. My family was badly affected by The Viet Nam War. I went to anti war rallies and read everything I could about Nixon, McGovern, economy, the war, the republican burglaries and lies, the attempts to cover up Watergate, the invasions of Laos, and Cambodia, and the possibility that the new 18 year old voters could somehow change a nation. On Election Night in 1972, I wept.
As Robert Kennedy prophesied, in 2008, an African American was elected to the highest office in the land. There was rejoicing throughout the country! But what's much more, we have elected a man who will speak for all men and women. A man who is intelligent, educated, and has a vision for the future of America. He is not looking to profit, but to protect and defend all of us! President Barack Obama will be one of the best presidents we have ever had. He will be because he has to.
Just like Jackie Robinson at second base in Ebbett's Field.
On Election Night in 2008, I wept....this time for joy.
DD
Or perhaps Jackie Robinson taking up his position at second base in Ebbett's Field.
I am proud to be an American tonight. Proud because I have seen our beloved country rise to a plateau I never honestly expected to see. I witnessed history. America has been reborn again. We are the best. We can overcome hate, prejudice, injustice, and slavery. We can sing in harmony, in one voice, and proclaim to the world that this is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I was cynical and highly doubtful that America had the capability to be great again. Since John Kennedy was assassinated, our leaders have been lacking in many ways. Tonight, we have A New Hope for greatness, not seen since I was a child.
In 1968, before he was assassinated, Robert Kennedy said that it would be 40 years before a black person would be elected president.
I was 13 in 1972. That was the first presidential campaign that I was seriously interested in. Sister Ruth ( My teacher in 8th grade) made me take the McGovern button off my tie. My family was badly affected by The Viet Nam War. I went to anti war rallies and read everything I could about Nixon, McGovern, economy, the war, the republican burglaries and lies, the attempts to cover up Watergate, the invasions of Laos, and Cambodia, and the possibility that the new 18 year old voters could somehow change a nation. On Election Night in 1972, I wept.
As Robert Kennedy prophesied, in 2008, an African American was elected to the highest office in the land. There was rejoicing throughout the country! But what's much more, we have elected a man who will speak for all men and women. A man who is intelligent, educated, and has a vision for the future of America. He is not looking to profit, but to protect and defend all of us! President Barack Obama will be one of the best presidents we have ever had. He will be because he has to.
Just like Jackie Robinson at second base in Ebbett's Field.
On Election Night in 2008, I wept....this time for joy.
DD
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