Ted Kennedy: Thank You

Apparently only something this sad could pull me from my temporary blog hibernation: the death of Senator Edward Kennedy.

From as far as I remember, I have defended and lauded Ted Kennedy. For the most part, I had little idea why. I knew that 1) Ted Kennedy was proud to be a liberal and 2) so was I. And that was pretty much all it took. Our shared pride in being Democrats was enough to bind us in some imaginary tie. Oh and his kick ass accent and fun boozy stories. That definitely helped.

But as I prepare to start school again in two weeks (thus the self-imposed blog break), the real reasons why I shed a tear or two for Ted Kennedy this morning poke, no stab at me. Perhaps I need to write a list of issues he and both care about: health care, education, poverty rights.....nah, boring. Perhaps a Devil's Advocate statement about where Teddy (and Clinton and Obama) have fallen short as proof that progressive politics need to be reenergized? Nah, too....righteous and angry. So how about this?

Words from the man himself.

Tribute to Senator Robert F. Kennedy

Senator Edward M. Kennedy
St. Patrick's Cathedral
New York City
June 8, 1968

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/EMK/

"...Through no virtues and accomplishments of our own, we have been fortunate enough to be born in the United States under the most comfortable conditions. We, therefore, have a responsibility to others who are less well off."

This is what Robert Kennedy was given. What he leaves us is what he said, what he did and what he stood for. A speech he made to the young people of South Africa on their Day of Affirmation in 1966 sums it up the best, and I would read it now:

"There is a discrimination in this world and slavery and slaughter and starvation. Governments repress their people; and millions are trapped in poverty while the nation grows rich; and wealth is lavished on armaments everywhere...."

"Our answer is to rely on youth - not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease....Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

"The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather it will belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American Society."

This is why I teach.

Rest in Peace, Teddy. And Thank You.