Robert Kennedy delivered this speech entitled “The Mindless Menace of Violence” to an audience in Cleveland, Ohio on April 5, 1968. In his speech Kennedy discusses the incidents of violence in America that shatters the lives of innocent citizens. As you listen to the speech try to identify some of the characteristics of oration. Find examples of rhetorical question, loaded words, use of the pronoun “we”, parallelism, metaphor, imagery, and repetition. Identify sections of ethos, pathos, and logos. What words create an emotional response for you, or what phrases call you to action.
Write a blog response that describes what elements of oration you find compelling in Kennedy’s speech.
Your response must be posted by Monday 12/13/10.
You can print or read the text of the speech at this link.
The Mindless Meaning of Violence
Reference:
Robert Kennedy. (1968). “The Mindless Menace of Violence”. Mind Walker Studios Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Vll-t0H6A [Video] November 29, 2010.
40 comments
Comment by Taylor C on December 7, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I find that in Robert Kennedy’s speech he speaks of inequality due to violent human nature and our nature to run with our respective herds. This means we stick whites to whites and blacks to blacks. I find this is untrue because there are many inter-racial parties, and we do not tend to stick to the flock. We do however use violence, but to keep away difference, change, and the misunderstood. In his speech I do fully agree that this country needs to be clensed of violence. People die every day but what most do not know is that every kill is a mass murder beacause not only is the person dead but those who affiliated with the individual are devastated by the violent nature of the questions “who?” and “why?”. These questions ruin peoples lives after horrific events. Violence for the most part is mindless and extremely unnessassary and Robert Kennedy gave fullproof reason as to why.
Comment by Dillon J on December 9, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I believe that Robert F. Kennedy is trying to express the freedom that all men should have. Black, White, Asian, etc should all have the same rights and respect as the rest of the world. One individual race should not be higher in rank than any other race. The point is that in the beginning of the play it shows the hostility of all races. Therefore, in the middle of the selection he tries to explain, in my opinion that leadership is key to inequality and success. By the end of the selection, he explains the struggles great leaders went through in order to unify our country to what it is now. He also describes people in the country as “brothers” and “countrymen” which portrays how in his mind he sees the equality of human beings in the country!
Comment by Dan A on December 10, 2010 at 9:23 am
Robert Kennedy talks about the effects of violence in America. It effects all races and needs to be stopped. He talks about how it effects the lives of millions in the country. At the end of his speech he says that people should think of eachother as countrymen and treat eachother with the respect that everyone deserves.
Comment by Monica P on December 12, 2010 at 12:40 am
I believe that John Kennedy was trying to make people realize that violence and inequality is what is really dominating our world and that it should be changed. Violence is in every persons life. As he mentioned ” victims are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown”. Violence has no discrimination and it has taken over our societies. In my opinion, there are ways to find a solution to a problem without violence. There is still hope that violence will be put to an end if people in our world put in a huge effort to get along and be equal with one another. I am in agreement that we all look to live a life with happiness in it and share some of the same goals in achieving in life .
Comment by Theresa A on December 12, 2010 at 9:59 am
I found in listening to Robert Kennedy’s speech, he was trying to make people understand that violence plays a big role in today’s society. He said that the victims are balck and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. In my opinion if all society tried to work together we would reduced the amount of violence in the world and learn to be one whole community. There is still hope to end violence, if we try to get along and treat people equally and do not discriminate people would not have to use violence towards somebody.
Comment by Alicia P on December 12, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Robert Kennedy speaks about how violence has affected the way we live our lives here in America. He speaks about how America seems to only have a common desire to retreat from one another and meet with a disagreement with force. I agree with most of his speech because America does have a tendency to turn towards violence when it comes to change, or if there is a difference among society. Robert Kennedy made very valid points in his speech about how mindless violence has affected everyone’s lives in different ways. Violence is a big issue and does need to be looked upon for change.
Comment by melanie sperry on December 12, 2010 at 3:07 pm
In my opinion, Robert Kennedy is speaking out about the growth of violence, how it stains our lives. He disregards color, and says that both black and white people are victims, as well as rich or poor, young or old, famous or unknown. In his view everyone could be a victim of violence. His speech is trying to bring out that “We” as a community can stop violence. As Americans we should not harm other Americans. We degrade ourselves by harming others in our community. Robert Kennedy believes that our bonds may make us brothers and country men once again.
Comment by Gabby G on December 12, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Robert Kennedy discusses probably the biggest issue our country has been facing since its very beginning: violence, discrimination and hatred. He talks about how our lives are too short for us to be damaging the lives of others, taking away their freedom, love and most importantly their life. Kennedy states that our world will never change or get better unless we put an end to the violence, and I could not agree with him more.
Comment by Jamie S on December 12, 2010 at 4:36 pm
In his speech, “The Mindless Menace of Violence”, Robert Kennedy speaks of violence throughout America. Kennedy mentions that “this mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives.” The victims of violence are poor, rich, white, black, young, and old. Violence affects everyone in America. Violence does not accomplish anything, it only makes the situation worse. Violence does not only occur by the use of guns, weapons, or riots but also by indifference. This violence affects different races of the people who live in America. Kennedy speaks of cleaning America from violence. I agree that America should be clean and that violence should not be occuring everyday. Kennedy uses the word “we” a lot in his speech. The word “we” is inferring to everyone in America. Kennedy is making it clear that violence occurs because of the people who live in America. Kennedy also uses the word “brothers”to infer that everyone in America is here for the same purpose, to find happiness in their lives.
Comment by David Norris on December 12, 2010 at 6:54 pm
In this powerful speech by Mr. Kennedy the overwhelming issue of pure violence plaguing the nation is confronted. He states the issue as a nationwide pandemic that needs to be addressed not only by one race but by all people of all races. I agree with Mr. Kennedy in the fact that when a senseless act of violence from one human being to another does degrade the entire nation and how we do need to cleanse this nation, we need to come together as human beings and not alienate from one and other to have a common cause to overcome the hate that some still carry around for his or her fellow American. iIalso agree with him that our lives are too short to let this hate be with us and that we must become brothers once again by working to mend the damages the past has done to us. I think that this speech made an impact and will help the Americans for years and years to come in the pain staking process for a utopia as a united nation.
Comment by romney tiru on December 12, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Robert Kennedy’s speech emphasized the inequaltiy and injustice of our world today. Some societies teach to hate and to threaten our freedom because of different beliefs and color skin. Our lives are to short to be in a mindless bloodshed. We all live in a common fear to believe in something different. We cannot banish each other one by one but realize that we seek to live in happiness altogther.
Comment by Brian Hamel on December 12, 2010 at 7:22 pm
In his speech, “The Mindless Meaning of Violence,” Robert Kennedy brings to light some of the most sensitive and complex issues in our history: violence, discrimination, and hatred. The most compelling aspect of his speech – and ultimately the biggest takeaway from it all – is that the issues that Kennedy highlighted in 1968 are still issues in 2010. Kennedy’s perscription for American is even greater – We need to unite as one and understand that the best way to move forward is together. Kennedy refers to America as “we,” meaning that while we all come from various backgrounds and different ethnicities, we are all Americans.
Comment by Sara Curtis on December 12, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Robert Kennedy tried to convey the message of how unnecessary violence is, and how powerful of an effect it has on every person. In his speech, he created an emotional connection with his listeners, compelling them to truly think and respond. His use of rhetorical questions, such as, “What has violence ever accomplished?” supported his point because violence has never been a benefit to anyone; it has only been destructive. He referred to riots as “uncontrolled, uncontrollable” to further prove his point. I find his most compelling use of oration to be his repetition of the word “we.” It made it clear that the people themselves were to be blamed for unnecessary violence. But it also created a sense of unity between him and the people; he addressed the people of America as a whole, including himself. His use of words like brothers and countrymen also created a sense of unity. He called for the people to band together as one in order to eliminate violence from society. He also created an emotional response by saying that indifference and inaction is just as destructive. I find his most compelling and truthful quote against violence to be, “We must recognize that this short life can neither be ennobled or enriched by hatred or revenge.”
Comment by Rishabh Awasthi on December 12, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Robert F. Kennedy’s speech attacks the heart of all problem, on Earth, unnecessary violence. Robert Kennedy uses words such as “sickness”, and “breeds”, to describe violence as a virus that will continue to grow and spread unless it is completely destroyed, “cleansed”. This is true, as one act of violence will cause another act of violence, which will create another negative reaction and so on. I believe that violence is a cancer that we can defeat, however, it will be a long, uphill battle that we, as a society, must be determined to fight. If we do not then the worst will occur, as Robert Kennedy put it ” you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens, but as enemies.” Robert Kennedy also uses the terms “citizens” and “countrymen”, which could mean, we Americans, however, even times when there is little violence in a nation, a horrible act by a foreign country or group of individuals, can restart the cycle of violence in that nation. I personally believe, that for for any nation to be free of violence, the world itself must be free from it.
Comment by Amy Siddons on December 12, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Robert Kennedy talks about how our nation has become corrupt due to the prejudices that people have towards each other. He talks about how we use violence to slove problems but in the end it introduces more conflict. Some people are raised to think that other races or religions are evil and should be treated as if they are worthless. That is not the case at all. America is suposed to be the land of the free and home of the brave, then why don’t we act like it? If Americans really believed that racism shouldn’t exist, then no judgments should be made. Everyone has a right to their opinion and a right to their beliefs. We should accept people for who they are and where they come from, then make friends with our enemies so that they become our equals.
Comment by Alexis Losgar on December 12, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I believe Robert Kennedy speaks about the power violence really has in our world. It does not matter if you,re black or white, everyone should have equal rights. A person’s color should not represent their place in the world. He states that people build their success off of another person’s loss. Today we teach you to hate your brother. He convinces people that our lives our to short to let this violence live on, and everyone who lives with us is our brothers. We need to try and work a little harder to become brothers and countrymen, meaning to be united. I think he portrays “brothers” and “countrymen” as being our equal in every society.
Comment by Ashley H on December 12, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Robert F. Kennedy delivers his urgent voice to stop using violence. He used lots of methods to persuade and attract people. At the very beginning of the speech, he said “I have saved this one opportunity, my only event of today, to speak briefly to you about the mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives”. This attracts people to pay attention to him since he said this is the only chance. His use of rhetorical questions in the speech, “Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created?”, made people to deeply think about the questions. Also, by use of “we” in the speech, it ties them together as one citizen and as one nation, and bring them into the same page of thinking. The metaphor he used, “A sniper is only a coward, not a hero; and an uncontrolled, uncontrollable mob is only the voice of madness, not the voice of reason”, compares two things of violence but telling people that they are both wrong things to do.
He puts more power into his speech by using the means of ethos, pathos, and logos. By using the words “children”,”family”,”brothers”, ect he adds emotions and makes people to feel the need of peace. “violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our soul” is the example of logos which persuade people logically.
The phrase which call me to action was “….those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life..”. It makes me to agree with him because eventually, violence means hurting my brothers and sisters. As human beings who live in one nation, one world and the same century, we need to love each other and pursue happiness without hurting each other.
Comment by Jessica Dreher on December 12, 2010 at 9:57 pm
In this speech, Robert Kennedy talks about the violence that is taking place across America. He talks about how the violence is out of hand and needs to be stopped. Violence can take place in many different ways. Anyone can be subject to violence, any race, any age, any gender, anyone can be a victim of violence. Kennedy talks about how violence needs to be stopped immediatley. I agree with him because violence solves nothing, if anything it makes things worse. Kennedy says in his speech, “No wrongs have ever been righted by riots and civil disorders” and he is completly right. There is no need for violence and it needs to be stopped. It is sad that Kennedy gave this speech 42 years ago, and the violence is no where near close to being diminished, it has probably gotten 10 times worse.
Comment by Melissa Fruin on December 12, 2010 at 10:00 pm
In Robert Kennedy’s speech, “The Mindless Menace of Violence”, he talks about the never-ending battle people being born of difference races and social classes have to put up with day after day. He states that violence sees no color, sex, or age. Kennedy makes a strong point when he makes notice to the fact that the people who are killed and hurt unjustly not only lost their lives, but the people around them, who loved them and cared for them, lost a part of their lives also. It leaves people wondering the same question, “Who’s next?”, which no one will ever actually know the answer to. The part of Kennedy’s speech that really drew my attention was when he said, “Violence breeds violence, repression breeds retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our souls”. We are no better than any one else, and until we realize that, there will always be problems. Violence is a serious problem, and always will be, because of fighting back and wanting to be the ‘stronger fighter’. Unless we, as a whole, come together to stop the issues caused from the constant disagreements, our nation will never truly be one, happy place to live.
Comment by Mel Flam on December 12, 2010 at 10:05 pm
In this speech, Robert Kennedy speaks about inequality as a result to violent human nature. This is the streotype that races stick with their own races. I don’t believe this because there are many inter-racial parties in the world today. Violence, however, is still practiced in the world. This violence is used to make changes in the world. The speech stresses that the country needs to be rid of violence. Certain acts of violence destroy the lives of others. Most violence is unnecessary and doesn’t serve a positive purpose to our world.
Comment by Karissa D on December 12, 2010 at 10:05 pm
In Robert Kennedy’s speech, he talks about how violence ruins America and effects everyone’s life. He says that it does not matter what race you are or if you are rich or poor; violence still effects everyone. Violence has never accomplished or created anything good. He also states that another type of violence that is just as bad as a shot or a bomb is indifference. This causes people to neglect important issues such as poverty and child hunger. He says we need to realize that those who live among us are our brothers and sisters and that we all want happiness. The world will not be a good place unless there is an end to violence. I agree with everything he said in this speech. Violence should not be the answer to anything no matter what.
Comment by Alicia KS on December 13, 2010 at 11:09 am
Robert F. Kennedy’s speech generally displays that violence over the years has caused an immense faction in the American society. Moreover, there is not one specific ethnicity, age, or social class that can be exempted from feeling victimized. It is evident, that violence has no cure and can not even be qualified as a quick fix. Kennedy points out the downfall in our society when he states, “We learn, at the last, to look at our brothers as aliens, men with whom we share a city, but not a community; men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in common effort. We learn to share only a common fear, only a common desire to retreat from each other, only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force. For all this, there are no final answers.” Thus, there will never be a “final answer” if we do not wish to see each other as equals. In addition, he says, “Some look for scapegoats, others look for conspiracies, but this much is clear: violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our soul.” In other words, the world will not change if people continue to seek other people or problems to lay the blame on, use violence instead of negotiation and peace, or do not speak up for what is just. I agree with Robert F. Kennedy’s statement, “Surely, this bond of common faith, this bond of common goal, can begin to teach us something.” Every one in the world has one common liking, to have a safe and successful life. If there is constant violence, retaliation, and fear, there is no way that the world can ever improve. When people decide to change their look on life and want to change the world for the better, this goal will easily be accomplished.
Comment by Angel L on December 13, 2010 at 1:48 pm
In my opinion, Robert Kennedy expresses his beliefs on the violence in America. He expresses that no race or skin color should be higher than any other, and that everybody should be equal. He states that we all have a common fear in each other, which as brothers and sisters of America should not be true. We should all be one big family. Also that life is too short to be in a life-long fear of each other. The people of America should not be wasting their time in life on trying to figure out how to take someones elses life from them.
Comment by Greg Doms on December 13, 2010 at 2:14 pm
In this speech Robert Kennedy talks about violence between all races and creeds, that is destroying innocent families and the country. At the end of the speech he says that everyone should not be treated differently because of their ethnicity but be treated the same as countrymen/. He uses different words such as “brothers”, to show the people of America how to see each other and treat each other.
Comment by Alicia R on December 13, 2010 at 4:12 pm
In Robert F. Kennedy’s speech “The Mindless Meaning of Violence” he talks about violence how unnecessary violence is, and what impact violence has on individuals. Robert Kennedy said that violence will never accomplish anything good in the world. Violence is practiced day after day and not a single human being can be “certain who will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed.” Kennedy stresses that we should abolish violence for it is degrading, monstrously unjust, and socially harmful. At the end of his speech, Robert Kennedy states that we should all love one another as equals and live happy life.
Comment by Kim G on December 13, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Robert Kennedy’s speech, “The Mindless Meaning of Violence,” gives insight into how people treat those who are different. Racism and discrimination are some of the biggest problems present in our world today. Age, race, religion, and personal wealth should not affect the treatment of any individual. Often times, humans resort to violence as a way to deal with the problems that they have with other people. Robert Kennedy explains that we should treat everyone with the same respect as we would want our family to be treated with. Also, Mr. Kennedy explains that we are the main cause for this violence; if we did not tolerate violence from anyone, there would be none (or at least less than there is.) In his speech, Kennedy uses words such as ‘brother’ and ‘countrymen’ to display the connection which we have to all people-both in our country and around the world. Kennedy explains that while we are all entitled to our own opinion, we cannot act out upon those with different views than our own.
Comment by Michael D’Amelio on December 13, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I found this speech to be very compelling. Robert Kennedy explains how racism and indifference is planted in our society, and how they pull our nation apart. He does not favor one race over another. He explains how the actions of all the people separating themselves from their neighbors because of race, or religion, or beliefs is corroding our nation. An extremely moving quote is when Kennedy says “For when you teach a man to hate and to fear his brother; you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color, or belief, or the policy he persues”. We teach younger generations the wrong way to view society. We should not categorize anyone, for any reason and by listening to this speech it has helped me to see how real and how common this epidemic is. Listening to Robert Kennedy’s speech “The Mindless Menace of Violence” has compelled me to think and even take action to help spread the idea of his speech in which we should see others as our friends and family, and not as different people because of race, religion or anything else.
Comment by Nicole Haddad on December 13, 2010 at 7:27 pm
In Robert Kennedy’s speech entitled “The Mindless Menace of Violence”, I believe he is trying to make people understand how frequently we excuse those who destroy others’ dreams in order to get what they want. Unless we stop the wars and hate, the destruction of our society will continue, but there is still hope. We are all equal, no matter what color, age, or place in society. By working together as a community rather than a city, we can help stop the violence.
Comment by Dwayne Ellis on December 13, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Kennedy’s speech speaks of the inequalities due to the violence of the human nature; between the people of different races. Blacks maintain a steady bond with strictly blacks, and as goes the same with the whites. Families and close bonds are being broken due to the violence and indifference between the different ethnicies and racial backgrounds.
Comment by Carli F on December 13, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Robert Kennedy’s speech “The Mindless Meaning of Violence” he uses very descriptive words towards the violence in America such as the violence staining our land. He tries to state that our world has become completely consumed by violence. The violence affects all parts of our society whether you are white, black, poor, or rich. He explains that we the people are causing this violence everyday all over the world to innocent people. He also states that these people who are affected by violence are most importantly human beings who are loved and need by others and have a point on this earth. Robert Kennedy makes a very good point when saying the act of violence “goes on and on and on.” The act of violence will never be stopped in America and “Only a cleansing of our entire society can remove the sickness of violence from our society.” Robert Kennedy explains violence in such description. I believe this speech shows very compelling oration.
Comment by R-Jay Domondon on December 13, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Kennedy says that “The victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown They are, most important of all, human beings whom other human beings loved and needed No one – no matter where he lives or what he does – can be certain who will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed And yet it goes on and on.” We the people should not be so willingly to tear each other down instead of helping each other up. We are a nation that is easly persuaded to alienate our brothers because of their appereance. Our lives are too short to be greedy, selfish, uncaring, and violent. We should take our common need and become closer as brothers instead of becoming further.”
Comment by Jenna Nave on December 13, 2010 at 9:35 pm
After listening to Robert Kennedy’s speech, I have a knew look towards the violence in the world today. The world today is being divided by race, religion, skin color, and he thought of what is right. People are forgetting the real meaning of what it means to be a united country. Robert Kennedy looks at people as brothers and sisters, not as people forced to live with each other. There is not one person on this earth that is the same but deep down inside we r all here for the same purpose. No matter what color your skin is or what your states of mind is, were all the same. We all make mistakes, we all make bad judgments on things, we all judge people, we all choose to do things that good for ourselves but not always for others, but we are all alike. In Robert Kennedy’s speech, he talks about people not getting a fair opportunity , or being looked down upon because of the way they look or because of there life styles. People need to think that not every person in the world is as fortunate as they are, and just because they don’t have all the things they have dose not mean they are not human. No matter what race, color hair, color eyes, job, ability to play a sport, or body shape everyone has feelings and are human. Violence has been not getting the right up roar it should be getting. Violence is wrong and many people see it.
Comment by Jake M on December 13, 2010 at 10:00 pm
In Robert Kennedy’s speech, he explains the violence and corruption that goes on today. He says that no matter what race you are, you are prone to this violence. Kennedy goes on to say that the violence and the corruption that goes on across the country, has a great effect on the lives of every citizen. Kennedy says: “Whenever we tear at the fabric of life which another man has painfully and clumsily woven for himself and his children, the whole nation is degraded.” This means that when a person demoralizes and bashes another, the whole nation feels the effects. Robert Kennedy talks about the freedom that every citizen of this country should have. Violence and corruption should not be a part of the daily American life. Robert Kennedy’s speech, “The Mindless Meaning of Violence”, is a emotional and moving speech that should be taken into consideration by every single American today.
Comment by James C on December 13, 2010 at 10:24 pm
in his speech, Robert Kennedy talks about the violence in this world. He talks about how human beings would do anything to help themselves, even if it means to hurt others. He says sometimes it is about race on how one person thinks that they are better than another because of the color of their skin. How people will hurt each for themselves instead of helping one another. He also says in his speech that everyone, white, black, young, or old are all equal. No one is better than another person. And no one should hurt another for their own personal gain.
Comment by Francies Guzman on December 13, 2010 at 10:46 pm
In Robert Kennedy’s speech, he emphasizes the effects that violence has taken upon our society through the years. He made it clear that violence will never lead to anything good. Any wrong doing should not be opposed through any type of violence. He expresses that age, gender, and race should not be a way to place the people in our society, in a social class. Violence is becoming a major issue, and is being practiced day after day. Life is too short to use bestiality, instead of making peace and negotiating with one another. Kennedy makes it clear that being equal, and being treated as we all should be, is the prize way to go.
Comment by Noel M. on December 13, 2010 at 11:01 pm
“Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? Nomartyr’s cause has ever been stilled by his assassin’s bullet.” — Robert F. Kennedy.
What exactly does violence accomplish? What do you gain from it as a result? Is it just pain and suffering? Those results are nowhere near positive or productive. We tolerate so much it–sometimes because a whole group collectively thinks that violence is the one and only solution to a “problem.” These “problems” were believed to be people of a different sexual orientation, race, color, belief, or gender. A community may not like what they see and believe that violence may get rid of that abnormality. Violence is even taught to younger generations–even through our own media. It has become so commonplace that we are still fighting against this “monster” we’ve created today. Kennedy has broken the chains to this beast and has shown the world its ugly face from the cage we’ve hidden it inside for so very long.
Comment by Dartre` Booker on December 14, 2010 at 4:19 pm
In Kennedy’s speech I believe he is trying to say that there is too much violence in the world because of people killing each other, and when one human being kills another it makes our whole nation look bad. Everyone should be treated the same no one should be treated better because of their race, wealth etc. We should treat everyone as if they’re our brothers and sisters and not treat them as a less of a person because of there race or what they do if we all just set goals to treat everyone with respect and love the world can become such a better place!
Comment by Kallie D on December 14, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I believe that in Robert Kennedy’s speech, he focuses on the major downfalls in this society, violence and racism. They both consume our world, and have effects on every aspect of life. Throughout the speech he shows how racism and violence start out as serious problems occuring all the time everywhere. Then proceedes to say how he can see things changing and that in order to live as ‘brothers’ we need to make that change. By the way Kennedy spoke it was as if he saw the society as one already, seeing past skin color and all the other things that blinded the nation. Equality is key when trying to live as the brothers Robert Kennedy envisioned.
Comment by Jenna LoRusso on December 15, 2010 at 7:06 am
Robert Kennedy’s speech is saying that people take sides. For example: colors. If you are one color then you stick together and noone elses opinions or anything else matter to you. We should all be equal because nobody is better than anyone. Robert Kennedy says that if we all had stronger bonds that it would make us all brothers and country men again which i believe is true.
Comment by deej ellis on May 23, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Robert Kennedy’s speech is trying to express to us discrimination due to the color of someones skin and their racial ethnicity. With discrimination comes violent nature. When whites are sticking to their predominantly respective herd, of just whites, and blacks with blacks, etc; they will find it nearly impossible to meet and come to an agreement to accept each other for who they are. In the end it can cause violent reaction. Robert Kennedy is trying to tell us all, that no man, no matter what color of skin, or race; is better than another man, we are all equals. We should all view each other as equals. He preaches, on the struggles that our former leaders have had to solidify the unity of the peoples in our country, and stop the violence.