Emilio Esteves is on a promotional tour for Bobby, his not-yet-released film about Robert F. Kennedy. On Oprah yesterday, Esteves said, “I believe that the death of Bobby Kennedy was, in many ways, the death of decency in America. … And I believe that we lost our way. We need to reconnect to our humanity because we have come so far away from that. We’ve come so far away from treating one another as brothers and sisters. … We’re so much better than where we’re at.”
Amen to that.
I’m choosing to believe that these midterm election results portend a shift back toward civiility, a willingness to once again work together toward a common good. More than just hoping, however, I’m willing to do what I can to help make it so. The long road home to a United States of America will be difficult, and we can’t find our way back on our own. We have to travel this road together. So next to my computer, I’ve posted these inspiring words, excerpted from Bobby Kennedy’s address to the nation on the day after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination:
“Those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life, that they seek, as do we, nothing but the chance to live out their lives in purpose and in happiness. Surely this bond of common fate, this bond of common goals, can begin to teach us something, and we can begin to work a little harder to become, in our hearts, brothers and countrymen once again.”
I don’t remember seeing my dad cry, but when Bobby Kennedy was killed, he was devestated. He was a good person, (rare in today’s politics, n’est pas?) and stood for decency and compassion.
I’d like to see more politicians standing for decency and compassion rather than terrorising people with a platform built on fear of war and invasion.
UNITED WE STAND
DIVIDED WE FALL
Yes, I believe our country is ready for, CRAVES a politician like Bobby.
I can’t wait to see that movie. I think Esteves is correct. When Bobby and Martin were killed, America began a slow, painful death. Perhaps new leaders like John Edwards and Barack Obama can breath into us a new life of promise and hope.
I certainly hope that you’re right…HOPE (and faith) being the operative word.
Bravo, Melodye. This post makes me weep This Incredible Morning After. I stayed up all night, glued to the screen. I didn’t want to miss a beat.
You really have the integrity and passion that I long for in my nation’s government. Have -you- ever considered running for office?
(I know. Neither did Nancy Pelosi.);>
And yes, Doc: Barack IS going to be a major force in our history one day. He has Star written all over him. Not sure what’s going to happen in 2008 but I Hear America Singing and it’s a lovely song today.
p.s. to M: how did you get the RFK photo to line up so nicely on this post? Whenever I add images, they seem to gravitate towards the bottom end of the post. How did you get yours to post so professionally?
There will never be another Bobby Kennedy. I die with him each time I see that horrific footage from June 1968.
Bruce sings on this Seeger tour: “Bring ‘Em Home.” The message is for the Administration. But I suppose one could also say that today’s historic events have brought many of the country’s angry souls back home to the place where they belong.
Our years of wandering in the desert without manna from heaven are over. {}
When you get the screen that allows you to insert the picture URL, at the bottom, there’s a drop-down menu that allows you to choose where you want the photo to go. I had my cursor at the upper left hand corner when I clicked on the picture option, and on that drop-down position menu, I chose RIGHT.
I love how you bring it all back home to Bruce! 🙂
My husband says I remind him of Dr. Suess’s book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” because my life and actions lead him/us to so many unusual situations and places. Ahem. That said, he wants nothing less than for me to enter politics. He’s far too private an individual than that. Yep, we’re opposites in that way…I’ve held many high-profile offices, but never again.
I’m not sure about Obama, by the way. He’s untested and I’m not wholly confident YET.
Amen, amen…we need a shift…I’m crossing my fingers to everybody on the playground getting along and keeping the rules: no fighting, no name calling, keeping the peace for the greater whole and remembering gratitude first and foremost for the freedom we enjoy as Americans.
Yes, no throwing sand in the sand box, and let’s all share our toys!
What a great man; what a great quote. Thanks for posting it.
And it seems like excellent timing for this film to come out. I can’t wait!
PS: I hope you don’t mind that I friended you. 🙂
I’m glad you did — and I friended you back! 🙂
BTW, I’ve lived in Portland, Hillsboro, and Cornelius in my lifetime. I love Beaverton (and Oregon)…it’s very pretty.