My first hand account of MLK & RFK

[brer cat]

I was born in 1946 in rural south Georgia, and grew up during absolute racial segregation. By the time I had reached my teens, I had grown beyond my roots, supported Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement, and considered myself far removed from my family and my early environment.

When Dr. King was killed, I worked for the state government across the street from the Capitol. When the simple wooden wagon pulled by mules carried his coffin passed by my office, I was out by the street to pay my respects (btw State employees were required to use our “lunch hour” to attend!!!). As it passed by, I saw Bobby Kennedy walking just behind, and I suddenly clapped and yelled to a friend nearby, “There’s Bobby!” Immediately, a security member walked up and said quietly, but forcefully: “If you can’t be respectful, please leave.”

I have never been so humiliated or humbled in my life. Here was my hero, murdered during his prime years, being honored before my eyes, and I saw Bobby and acted like…well what I was, a young woman seeing another hero for the first time in person. I was so disrespectful of the occasion, and it troubled me more so because I knew that I was among the few whites who were there because we loved and believed in the message of MLK.

I’m 61 now, and I remember that day as well as yesterday, and the humiliation that I felt at forgetting Dr. King in the face of another hero. Little did I know that we would lose Bobby so soon there after. Some say, gather your rosebuds while you may; I say honor your heroes when you can for “tomorrow this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.”

RIP Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Francis Kennedy

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

1. Peace be with us all.

[k8conant]

2. Thanks for the story. BTW, it was Robert FRANCIS Kennedy

I know that for myself (a 58-year-old white woman) MLK, McCarthy, and RFK were very important. I shook hands with both MLK and RFK in Detroit several years apart. I no longer want to shake hands with those I admire....the hurt of their deaths is still there.

[brer cat]

4. I know better...just remembering his brother, I guess!

[Cooley Hurd]

3. You shouldn't feel shame - you were a witness to history...

Recommending your post. Rest in peace, Dr King and Senator Kennedy.:patriot:

[eleny]

5. I'm 61, too, and grew up in NYC

What a time it was.

[winggirle]

6. I'm 23 years old, with a father 58 and mother 51

truly, the years of my raising were influenced political by
those many speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. along with
Bobby Kennedy.  My parents both told me when I studied
political science class, it was a rumor the Bobby Kennedy was
going to have Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as his vice
president. 
What a great historical landmark that would have been if it
took place here in America.

[brer cat]

7. Wow, just Wow. That would have been an amazing ticket!

[eleny]

10. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Thank you for that gentle memory

We're the same age. Given those days, your actions are understandable. It is only now that I feel the same sorts of flights of joy followed so quickly by the depths of despair, only to be jarred back by anger ...... and so it goes.

[robinlynne]

9. beautiful.

[babylonsister]

11. Your post is beautiful. Recommend, and thank you!

:hug:

[FrenchieCat]

12. What memories you have......

how dear they must be.

Thank you for sharing.

[bluesmail]

13. The police were probably concerned that the peaceful memorial

could end up in a riot, my guess is they or some were humbled by the event. Just my perspective. Can't NOT speak my mind.

[Muttocracy]

14. maybe it was just a feeling of hope at seeing RFK after feeling so much sadness

don't be so hard on yourself. The important thing is, you didn't stay at your desk. I bet RFK and MKL Jr. wouldn't be mad at you.

:hug: