On June 6, 1966, almost exactly two years before his assassination, Robert F. Kennedy gave what many consider his greatest speech at a university in South Africa, a nation still beset by the poison of apartheid. He praised the young people there and around the world as “the only true international community.” He stated unequivocally that hope for the future required everyone to “rely on youth.”
He also referred to a “Chinese curse” (although its origin is now unclear) to describe the turmoil they were experiencing: it condemned people to “live in interesting times.” The “interesting” events of those years had a profound effect on me and millions of others, but I’ve always believed a curse is balanced by a blessing. For me, interesting times include both deadly dangers and abundant opportunities.
Just 10 years later, America celebrated the 200th anniversary of a brash group of young men putting their dreams into words and signing their names to a treasonous document, punishable by death in England. We’ve honored and revered those words throughout our history. Now, our 250th is creeping up on us.
Like others my age, I’ve been lucky enough to experience the interesting times of both anniversaries. In 1976, we were just emerging from a period marked by anger and generational divisions sparked by the Vietnam War. Although I didn’t suffer physically, like nearly 400,000 mostly young Americans and millions of Vietnamese, the period left deep emotional scars as it became obvious that an older generation was willing to sacrifice so many young lives in a war of choice. As a troubled young man, I traveled the country searching for the heart of America, and joyously found it in Americans, young and old, willing to forgive and forget the divisions which plagued the previous decade.
I believe I learned the most from an older generation who were willing to reach out to someone who symbolized all that threatened their world. Many who supported the war and Richard Nixon faced the facts that their support was a mistake. Prodded by thousands of people in the streets, Congress had finally ended the war and exposed Nixon’s illegal actions in the Watergate hearings.
Today, I hope the process works in reverse: that young people can teach my old and angry generation how to unite and move forward in peace. I long for one or more charismatic young leaders (such as the fearless, intelligent, and eloquent AOC and Mamdani, or strongly religious Talarico) to make the powerful case for a more balanced and just society, one which welcomes and rewards the brilliance and hard work of young and old, all races and colors, all religions and genders. America has a massive reservoir of youthful energy and talent if we can only tap into it.
In his speech, RFK celebrated young people who had changed the world through bold actions, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., only 35 when he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. Kennedy also proclaimed that historic civil rights legislation showed U.S. support for “the protection of minorities; we recognize the contributions they can make and the leadership they can provide.” No one should be considered “expendable” in theories or policies.
If only President Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, and Pete Hegseth could listen and learn from Kennedy’s wisdom, as they send a private army raging through our streets at home, and rain death from the skies abroad. They are sure in their judgments that millions of people worldwide are somehow beneath them and deserve the violence dispensed by ICE and military troops following illegal orders.
Kennedy described the world 50 years ago as experiencing “immense and dizzying change,” an apt description of today as well. But he also noted that each individual act which “stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice” sends forth “a tiny ripple of hope” which can combine with “millions” of others to form a movement strong enough to “sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” His prophesy was proven true in South Africa less than 30 years later when apartheid was defeated and Nelson Mandela elected president.
I pray that today’s young people can help an older generation see the light in their youthful eyes and celebrate the best of our aspirations described in the Declaration of Independence. I hope we’re on the road to a triumphant 300th where they can look back on their efforts and feel proud of themselves and their country.
Allen Woods is a freelance writer, author of the Revolutionary-era historical fiction novel “The Sword and Scabbard,” and Greenfield resident. His column appears regularly on a Saturday. Comments are welcome here or at awoods2846@gmail.com.