Strengths blog
By Chris Trout | November 9, 2008
When I was 12 years old, I had two political heroes: Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Both filled me up, excited me and made me want to be more than I imagined I was. When Dr. King had a dream, my dreams grew. When "Bobby" spoke, it felt like anything was possible. The world was an exciting place, full of hope and full of possibility.
When Martin was assassinated, I was afraid. The neighbors had watched in judgment as black leaders visited our home. Now the neighbors felt powerful. They called our house and left threatening messages. They had won.
The night after Dr. King died, cities all over the nation went up in flames - all except the city where Bobby had spoken that day. His words - and his passion - were so powerful, that people went home to honor Dr. King's legacy. He inspired peace in the most tangible way.
Then, as it began to look like we would choose hope over despair, someone shot Bobby. And I was afraid again. They killed my heroes. Hope seemed foolish.
Now I don't mean to be melodramatic, but Tuesday night I saw that look of hope in people's eyes again - a look I haven't seen since I was 12 years old. People went out into the streets so they could be together, in community - sharing hope.
Not surprisingly, I loved watching the 12-year-olds (and 8-year-olds and 4-year-olds) as they declared they could do anything, that their dreams were possible now. They were filled up, excited and wanted to be more than they had imagined they were.
They had hope.
Comments on this entry
I was too young to remember Dr. King, JFK or Bobby but I have heard for years how people felt hopeful when they were alive and tremendously lost when they died. As I watched Obama speak on election night I honestly thought that THIS must be what folks felt like- THIS is hope, THIS is seeing dreams become reality, THIS Is the transformation of a country so beat down by so many challenging issues right now-a country coming alive. As I voted with my two adult children for their first time ever; I knew it was an important time for them and for all Americans who were voting for a future that they can be proud of. This truly is a time of inspiration, leadership and hope...for all of us.