Easy Design

For Sake of Nation: The Kennedy Murder

Life had become so desperate for people in South East Asia that on one June day a few had concluded all that was left to them were their bodies to express an indescribable despair. Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, dramatically committed suicide by setting himself ablaze while sitting on a busy street in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), protesting South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem’s religious repression. A few of the martyr’s fellow believers wept as his charred corpse tumbled to the pavement. Diem, who claimed a Christian faith, even after ordering the killings of several monks for the offense of displaying Buddhist flags, would meet a slightly similar fate later that year, 1963. Instead of being escorted from the country, as JFK was told would occur, Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were slain in a US backed military coup. At that time there were approximately 16,000 US “advisors” in South Vietnam. Also that year Reverend King punctuated a day long protest by another aggrieved people with a brief sermon in Washington DC, immediately placed among the great historic American orations. Additionally, a prohibition on trade with and travel to Cuba by US citizens was signed into law by John Kennedy. The “Hot Line” was established between Moscow and Washington, and a treaty banning certain nuclear tests was signed by representatives of the US, the USSR, and the UK. In England the “Profumo Affair” sex scandal threatened to destroy the careers of several high ranking politicians and their officers over accusations of state secrets possibly divulged through pillow talk. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan resigned shortly after, for health reasons, it was said.

In New England four more women were officially added to the list of The Boston Strangler’s victims. Also in Boston that year Julia Child, “The French Chef” (as in French cuisine), was introduced to the nation on NET (National Educational Television), the precursor to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Boxing Champion Sonny Listen and challenger Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) agreed to face eachother in a match for the heavyweight title in Miami the following year. There were reports that the young boxing phenom had occasionally been seen in the company of Malcolm X. James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” was published, as was Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique,” widely cited as igniting the modern Feminist Movement. Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar,” was also printed, posthumously (under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas), as she had died by her own hand in London earlier that year. On the same day of her farewell, Thomas Edison’s birthday, inventor of the phonograph, and same city, the Beatles recorded their maiden album. And with a little help from their friend George Harrison, the Rolling Stones signed their first record contract that year. While in the “motor city” of Detroit, prodigy “Little” Stevie Wonder cut his premier single, accompanied by Marvin Gaye on drums. Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” won the Grammy for Record of the Year. The first reputed discotheque opened in Los Angeles, “Whisky A Go-Go.” On television “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Bonanza” were in a virtual tie for the #1 program in the US, with “The Dick Van Dyke Show” pulling in third. Several people noted the vaguely similar look of actress Mary Tyler Moore to Jacqueline Kennedy. TV series starring “identical twin cousins,” a collie with an IQ higher than its human co-stars, and a talking horse were also, inexplicably, popular that year.

The notorious Alcatraz prison was closed, and the United States Supreme Court banned the oath of prayer and Bible reading in public schools. Quasars were discovered, Valium was invented, nuclear reactors went commercial for the first time, and nuclear submarine USS Thresher sank into the Atlantic. “Touch Tone” phones were introduced, along with zip codes, tape cassettes, lava lamps, Cap’n Crunch cereal, and pull tabs for canned drinks – which only bodybuilders, at times it felt, had the strength to wrench the darn things off.

A coal mine explosion killed nearly 500 people in Japan, and injured almost 900 more. George Wallace became Governor of Alabama, where soon after Civil Rights protesters, including some children, would be attacked with dogs, tear gas, sticks, rocks, police and mob beatings, and tax paid fire fighters using water hoses with pressure capable of tearing flesh from bodies and breaking bones. In this same place four adolescent girls were blown to bits while at Sunday church in that southern state, and numerous others would sustain horrendous lifelong injuries from a dynamite bomb. Zambia became a country, and Kenya became independent, with Jomo Kenyatta as its first Prime Minister.

William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) DuBois died in Ghana. New Englander Robert Lee Frost, who was actually from California, past away, only two years after being a special guest at JFK’s inauguration. Aldous Huxley, author of the iconic futuristic novel “Brave New World,” also went to the ages. Edith Piaf, C.S. Lewis, Dinah Washington, Patsy Cline, Ernie Davis, Pope John XXIII, and Estes Kefauver likewise died this year. As would Medgar Evers, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald. Toddler Barack Obama turned two, and sixteen year old William Clinton shook his idol’s hand at The White House. Miss America Vanessa Williams was born, along with baseballer Mark McGwire, basketballer Michael Jordan, and songstress Whitney Houston. In 1963 a little more than 3 billion people existed on planet Earth. And in the Southwest President John Kennedy made a political tour, three weeks after the murders of President Diem and his brother Nhu in South Vietnam. 1963 was an interesting year.

Deep in the heart of Texas the intoxicating scent of turkey feasts drifted across the cityscape of Dallas in anticipation of that uniquely American spiritual observance of Thanksgiving, one week away, with the festive holiday of Christmas right around the corner. Store windows were already serenading the masses with tinsel and twinkle lights, and ads promising Happy Noël memories at ten percent off. It had rained. And the skies were overcast. But it hadn’t discouraged thousands of residents from lining the streets in expectation of the President’s visit, in spite of that community’s deeply conservative sentiments. Many were eager to see the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, whom they knew was accompanying JFK during his visit. She rarely attended such political events with her husband, making this presidential tour a particularly special treat.

Early morning showers ultimately part for the welcomed warmth of the Sun. The welcome warmth of “Big D” has also been shown in abundance throughout JFK’s visit, to the genuine appreciation of the Kennedys. Anxieties and warnings by some that Dallas could prove a difficult experience for the moderately progressive politician now seemed unnecessarily dire. Everyone immediately recognizes the glamorous First Couple as their navy blue Ford Continental luxury limousine finally reaches Dealey Plaza, located in the city’s historic center, some forty minutes into the parade and behind schedule after starting on its nearly eleven miles journey from Love Field to the Dallas Business and Trade Mart. A typical itinerary for visiting dignitaries. A lucky few residents have even received a personal greeting from the visiting pair at the airport and along the way.

The rumble and hum of motorcycle engines precede the lead car carrying various Dallas officials, including Kennedy’s military aide, who would commonly be seated in the President’s automobile. The heavy limousine winds slowly onto Houston Street. Women are especially envious of the lovely Jackie in her stylish pink and blue Chanel designer suit, with matching pillbox hat. The glittering political family are as striking in person as on TV, beaming all the while to their gradually thinning admirers. Few notice the first family of Texas are also in attendance, Governor John Connelly and Mrs. Nellie Connelly, sitting directly in front of Jack and Jackie, as the line of cars mosey by. Numerous people wave at, take photographs or home movies of, applaud approval to, or simply watch, not really knowing just how one was expected to greet a president.

Over local radio citizens travel along with the motorcade as the announcer paints the scene with words. “The President’s car is now turning onto Elm Street, and it will be only a matter of minutes before he arrives at the Trade Mart. . . .” The parade of cars make a sharp left, as John Kennedy leans over to say something to his wife, then looks back to his right to wave when a loud pop cracks the relative quiet, startling several bystanders. A few in the plaza think it’s poor taste for some idiot to be lighting firecrackers. It just makes all of Dallas look bad.

This is largely how those in Dealey Plaza experienced what would quickly become realized as one of the most significant events in American history. For years to come this date would be as memorable as July 4th, Independence Day. And Dallas would, for a time, be the most hated city in the world for many Americans. The debate, such as it is, about John F. Kennedy’s murder continues. . . .

Read the full article here.

About the Author

Terry Cerata is an independent researcher, progressive, and discerning citizen.

Sprite Step Off – Thank You from Black Greek Network