April 04th, 2018

I Remember
 
On this day 50 years ago I was a high school freshman.  I was the student manager for the basketball team because I loved the sport but not blessed with any talent to play.  I was also a nerd of the first caliber.  I was a member of the speech and debate team.  The events I specialized in were debate and extemporaneous speaking.

Participating in these two events resulted in being very knowledgeable about current events both nationally and internationally.  I especially liked extemporaneous speaking because of its’ unique challenge.  Here’s how it worked.  You drew a little piece of paper out of a hat that had a contemporary topic listed.  You then had 30 minutes to research the topic followed by a 10 minute presentation on the topic presented to a judge.  I recall using Newsweek, US News and World Report, and Time magazine as my primary sources.  Only Time has survived as a print magazine.

Because of my submersion in current news and cultural events I was familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King and his non-violent crusade for racial and social justice.  I walked home after school on April 4 the just as the national news was coming on.  We always watched Huntley and Brinkley or John Chancellor.
I REMEMBER John Chancellor’s ashen face as he announced the assassination of Dr. King and watching the film of the event on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  It was graphic.

I REMEMBER, in that moment hope was banished.  I REMEMBER, life was uncertain and fragile.  I REMEMBER, wondering how cans this happen?  I REMEMBER, wondering what will happen next.  I REMEMBER, a shock wave spread across America, even to my little town in northwest Indiana.  I REMEMBER, America burned – in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Detroit and others.  I couldn’t understand the riots that are now called civil disturbance.  I REMEMBER, even then I felt that Dr. King would be shaking his finger at America for reacting with rage and hate.  
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Again today, on the 50th anniversary of a murder, I REMEMBER.