Standing on a truck in the Indianapolis ghetto, he empathized with the African-Americans, raising peace and mercy across colors. Indiana had nearly no riots while the nation raged. RFK’s activism was selfless and heroic, and his death is a true shame.
In the midst of a campaign, news of Martin Luther King Junior's death struck the hearts of America, perhaps the heart of Robert F. Kennedy a bit too much. RFK planned a detour for the center of Indianapolis's African-American ghetto. Warned by his team, he ignored his own safety and got a driver. No paper in hand, the senator hastily prepared an improvised speech in the backseat of a bumpy car in the ten-minute drive to face an angry crowd.
He rode in the backseat with his eyes closed. A bead of sweat rolled down his face. The driver risked a glance, careful not to disrupt the senator's focus. They were headed towards 17th and Broadway, specifically a rally after the recent news. A speed bump opens Robert's eyes. Out the car window, he sees the masses. A mother carries her infant son; the crowd's passionate roar deafens his cries. An impenetrable wall of backs blocked the street to the center. They would have to go on foot. Using a truck bed for a stage, he uttered his first words. "I have bad news for you, for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world, and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and killed tonight." Five minutes he waited for the silence to return. Anger filled the audience, but he knew they preferred yelling to crying. Peering into those eyes, he saw blame, remorse, and bitterness. These people needed him, and so did America. Only God could fix us now. He wiped his brow, took a breath, and straightened his posture.
By the end of his speech, tears openly puddled Indiana. Not a pair of eyes were angry no more.
Robert F. Kennedy changed the world that night. His words unified the rioting people of the nation across color and state borders. He spoke of peace over everything else: over his campaign and pride. He admitted guilt that was not his. He stepped into danger when he never had to. Indianapolis was silent as riots capsized the states. The citizens had changed in reverence. Robert was assassinated two months later in Los Angeles. He had spent his life fighting to make the world a better place. The heroism that occurred that day will never be forgotten. The late senator's words will last forever in the hearts of all Americans.
In the midst of a campaign, news of Martin Luther King Junior's death struck the hearts of America, perhaps the heart of Robert F. Kennedy a bit too much. RFK planned a detour for the center of Indianapolis's African-American ghetto. Warned by his team, he ignored his own safety and got a driver. No paper in hand, the senator hastily prepared an improvised speech in the backseat of a bumpy car in the ten-minute drive to face an angry crowd.
He rode in the backseat with his eyes closed. A bead of sweat rolled down his face. The driver risked a glance, careful not to disrupt the senator's focus. They were headed towards 17th and Broadway, specifically a rally after the recent news. A speed bump opens Robert's eyes. Out the car window, he sees the masses. A mother carries her infant son; the crowd's passionate roar deafens his cries. An impenetrable wall of backs blocked the street to the center. They would have to go on foot. Using a truck bed for a stage, he uttered his first words. "I have bad news for you, for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world, and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and killed tonight." Five minutes he waited for the silence to return. Anger filled the audience, but he knew they preferred yelling to crying. Peering into those eyes, he saw blame, remorse, and bitterness. These people needed him, and so did America. Only God could fix us now. He wiped his brow, took a breath, and straightened his posture.
By the end of his speech, tears openly puddled Indiana. Not a pair of eyes were angry no more.
Robert F. Kennedy changed the world that night. His words unified the rioting people of the nation across color and state borders. He spoke of peace over everything else: over his campaign and pride. He admitted guilt that was not his. He stepped into danger when he never had to. Indianapolis was silent as riots capsized the states. The citizens had changed in reverence. Robert was assassinated two months later in Los Angeles. He had spent his life fighting to make the world a better place. The heroism that occurred that day will never be forgotten. The late senator's words will last forever in the hearts of all Americans.
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