In memory of RFK. His death resulted in me becoming a die-hard Democrat.

[Obamarama]

I was all of five years old when Bobby Kennedy was asassinated 40 years ago today. It was also the first time in my life that I had seen my father weep openly. While I didn't know anything of Bobby Kennedy at that age, I remember thinking he must be a very important and special man to make my dad break down and cry in front of his family.

As I grew older and developed an interest in history, my father steered me toward some books about RFK, and of course JFK. As a young adult, I began to develop a deeper understanding of what could have been had both of these men lived. My family have been Democrats for as far back as my dad could remember, but he was always careful to remind me that political affiliation should not be something assigned to you at birth, and reminded me I was always free to choose another political affiliation.

Whenever I toyed around with other political philosophies and dogmas, my mind would always drift back to that dark, June night when my dad mourned the loss of a man who could have made such a difference in this country and in our world. I resolved to be a stalwart Democrat.

On this 40th anniversary of his death, I reflect on the passage from Shakespeare that a reporter, gathered outside Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles awaiting news of RFK's fate, read aloud. It is a passage that RFK found solace from when JFK was killed:

"When he shall die, take him out and cut him into little stars and he shall make the face of heaven so shine that all the world will be in love with night and take no worship from the garish sun"

RIP, Bobby.