JU I
Januaiy 14, 2009
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M a r tin L u t h e r K in g J r .
Page B 3
2009 special e d itio n
Sharing Martin Luther King's Aspirations
Robert Kennedy played major role
In the 1960's, there were
many civil rights leaders who
believed in equality for all
people, o f all colors, o f all
races.
The m ost famous of these
is Dr. M artin Luther King Jr.
But there was another leader
that we do not hear as much
about. His nam e is Robert
“Bobby” Kennedy. He played
a major role in the fight for ci vil
rights and contributed his life
to that fight.
Robert Kennedy, remained
com m itted to civil rights en­
forcem ent to such a degree
that he com m ented, in 1962,
that it seemed to envelop al­
most every area o f his public
and private life— from pros­
ecuting corrupt southern elec­
toral officials to answering late
night calls from C oretta Scott
King concerning the imprison­
ment o f her husband for dem ­
onstrations in Alabama.
During his tenure as A ttor­
ney General, he undertook the
m ost energetic and persistent
desegregation o f the adm inis­
tration that Capitol Hill had
ev e r ex p e rie n c e d . He d e ­
m anded that every area of
governm ent begin recruiting
realistic levels o f black and
other ethnic workers going so
far as to criticize Vice Presi­
dent Lyndon B. Johnson for
his failure to desegregate his
own office staff.
A lthough it has becom e
com m onplace to assert the
phrase "The Kennedy Admin-
Robert Kennedy in
196 8 during his War
on Poverty Campaign.
On April 4, 1968. Martin Luther King was assassinated in
Memphis, Tenn. In Indianapolis, Robert Kennedy made the
announcement of King's death in an extemporaneous
speech to a group made up mostly o f African Americans at a
scheduled campaign rally on the steps o f the Justice Center.
istration" or even "President
Kennedy" when discussing the
legislative and executive sup­
port of the civil rights m ove­
ment, between 1960 and 1963,
a great many o f the initiatives
that occurred during President
Kennedy's tenure were as a
result o f the passion and de­
term ination o f an em boldened
Robert Kennedy, who through
his rapid education in the reali­
ties o f Southern racism, un­
derwent a thorough conver­
sion of purpose as Attorney
General.
Asked in an interview in
May 1962, "W hat do you see
as the big problem ahead for
you, is it Crim e or Internal
Security?" Robert Kennedy
replied, "Civil Rights."
The President came to share
his brother's sense o f urgency
on the matters at hand to such
an extent that it was at the
Attorney General's insistence
that he made his famous ad­
dress to the nation.
During the attack and burn­
ing, by a vast white mob, o f the
First Baptist Church in M ont­
gomery, Ala., at which Martin
Luther King Jr. was in atten­
dance with protesters, the A t­
torney G eneral telephoned
King to ask his assurance that
they would not leave the build­
ing until the U.S. M arshals
and National Guard had se­
cured the area.
King proceeded to berate
Kennedy for "allowing the situ­
ation to continue". King later
p u b lic ly th a n k e d R o b e rt
Kennedy for his commanding
o f the force dispatched to
break up an attack that might
otherwise have ended King's
life.
The relationship between
continued
The relationship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert
Kennedy was to undergo great change over the years that
they would know each other—from a position of mutual
suspicion to one o f shared aspirations.
o
ZE
“The Dream Alive Program”
A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., and the leaders of
the civil rights movement
ioe Rogers
<
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o
Wednesday, January 21,2009
7:00 p.rn., Chapel of Christ the Teacher
Free and open to the public
The Dream Alive Program is an incredible
live commentary by loe Rogers, former
Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, dedicated
to the memory and legacy of Dr Martin
Luther King, Jr , and leaders of the civil
rights movement. This nationally acclaimed
program features a re-enactment of
Dr. King's historic "I Have A Dream” speech
and the presentation helps to increase the
understanding of the enormous contribu­
tions that were made by these leaders.
It is also a reminder that their wisdom and
vision are timeless.
o
t:
l/T
For more information: Please contact the
Office o f Student Activities at 503 943.7470
or stuact@up edu
U n iv ersity
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STUDENT ACTIVITIES
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richer for our differences.
We celebrate the w isd o m of co llab ora tion
and the strength in diversity.
O PORT OF PORTLAND
Possibility. In every direction.
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