"MAKE
GENTLE THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD"
A LETTER TO
BOBBY KENNEDY... 35 YEARS LATER
Dear Bobby,
It's been 35
years since your tragic death and our nation is still facing the
challenges you spoke of nearly forty years ago. I'm only 19 and I wonder
sometimes if things will ever change. I wonder if we can survive this
time of crisis and sadness. I wonder if my generation really can make a
difference. Sometimes I even wonder if we should try... but then I think
of you.
I remember how you reached out to those less fortunate, with no regard
to race. I remember how you fought for those who couldn't fight for
themselves, and never gave up. I remember how you gave a voice to the
voiceless, even though you knew maybe people disagreed. I remember how
deeply you allowed yourself to feel others pain, especially children.
But most of all, I remember how you taught young people that one voice
did matter, that their voice was unique and that together we really
could change the world.
Bobby, since September 11th, it has been hard to follow your vision for
America. There is so much fear, loss of hope and violence. I asked
myself this morning what you would say to those people who felt
disillusioned in America, what you'd say to our soldiers fighting in
Iraq and what you'd say to those people whose homeland we're fighting
in. I realized suddenly, that the answer might well be the same for
all... simply that we should "Make gentle the life of this world".
So Bobby, from this young person and from Americans everywhere, thank
you. I for one will always believe that together, we can change the
world. I believe too that we must love our neighbors even when we'd
rather hate them, that we must stand up for ideals even when we have no
courage left and that most of all we must not fail in our belief that
America at heart is still good and decent.
35 years since your death you are still inspiring young people.....and
reminding us that youth is not "a time of life, but a temper of will".
So here's to your vision and here's to healing our wounds... I hope we
make you proud...
Thank you,
From a grateful American
Stephanie Warren,
August
4, 2003
Expand the Heart
Sharing, Caring, Helping and Building
–
All
of Humanity's Needs
We Are Our Brother's Keeper
The Only True and Just Reality for
Humanity on the Planet |
In the American Spirit
of
President John F. Kennedy's Peace Corps
Making it Happen For Us All
Vision and the Peace Planet Party Way
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