November 22, 1963
45 years ago today a day that I think changed this country happened. On a Friday morning in Dallas Texas, John F Kennedy was killed. It is a day that people remember exactly where they were when the heard the news. Since I wasn't born then and wouldn't be for 8 more years, I can't count myself as one that had that moment.
But I do remember sitting in my 8th grade history class and watching the mini-series Kennedy staring Martin Sheen as JFK and Blair Brown. I remember being so sad at the assassination portion of the movie. But before that the movie focused on the life of Kennedy, and his family and even what was going on in the country in the 60's. I remember vividly watching the scenes of the African American men and women being beaten by horrible white men because they wanted to ride on a bus. It sickened me to see this and I remember it to this day.
I remember watching this movie and I think that it really shaped the way I think and believe. I am a one of those bleeding heart liberals that believes that we need to help our fellow man, that social injustice is wrong and when things like Hurricane Katrina happen and our government reacts the way that they did it is horrific. What JFK and his brother Robert Kennedy and also during that time Martin Luther King stood for and what they tried to change in this country should be remembered and should be something we still strive for 45 years later.
I believe that if JFK had not been shot, this country would be a very different place today.
So I now have that miniseries on DVD and I watch it every year, but this year the mini-series is also on PBS Sunday night, check your local listings
If you remember where you were that day, let me know......
