As a child of the 60's

[Ms. Toad]

I had two reactions last night as I listened to Obama's speech:

First, profound gratitude that a whole new group of children will look to the White House and see their own faces reflected there. Most profoundly those with warmer flesh tones than I have - but also children whose parents have taught them that war is wrong and social justice is worth sacrificing for. Children who, like my daughter, may have voted for the first time without much memory that it was possible for anyone to win the popular vote who shared that view.

Second, as I caught myself doing last night listening to Obama's speech, I will be forever hoping against hope that I will hear no gunshots. That is my history, and it came home to me with a vengeance last night. Last night was for you, Martin, Robert, and John, and for the sacrifices that should never have had to be made to make last night possible.

[crikkett]

1. I saw a wall of glass panels in front of his podium.

it disconnects him from the crowd in a way, which is a shame, but I'm sure their exuberance went over and around that wall. Can you imagine the impact it made on his daughters?

I'm sorry you had to worry. And your last sentence made me all verklept.

[crickets]

15. I saw that too

and was relieved. This is terrible, but I had trouble settling down and listening to his speech at first because the 'keep him safe, keep him safe' mantra was running over and over through my brain. Thank you, Secret Service, and keep up the good work.

[onlyadream]

2. I'm thinking the same...

glad to hear they're taking precautions.

[skooooo]

3. This child of the 60s..

..doesn't remember the 60s. Maybe you were born in the 50s?

[Ms. Toad]

4. I was born in the 50s,

The childhood I have recollection of began around 1960. I have very vivid memories of the day John Kennedy was shot when I was 7.

[skooooo]

5. I'm glad I don't remember that..

...or any of the horrible things that happened. Living in the aftermath of it was pretty devistating. But hey, it's a new day and we got new hope. :hi:

[Ms. Toad]

14. It was hard...

When Kennedy was elected, since it was the first election I recall, I thought everyone felt like my parents did. That bubble burst a few short years later with his assassination.

What I felt last night was so deep and ingrained that I felt it long before I could articulate what it was.

[Lost4words]

7. same here, I was ten when they stole our innocence

8643

[cascadiance]

13. I was a bit younger, and we were in Virginia then, but still remember parts of it...

Was in Fairfax, just outside of DC. I remember us all watching the state funeral, and also the video coverage of when video coverage was happening of Ruby shooting Oswald. Was still not old enough at the time for the gravity of it all hitting me, but I was touched watching younger Caroline and John Jr. were walking alongside Jackie and the sadness rubbed off on me then.

[Greybnk48]

6. Oh Ms. Toad, I had the same experience

I have Dallas burned in my brain and kids being sent home from school (I was home sick that day). Then Bobby and MLK. I kept thinking last night during President Obama's acceptance speech, "There's not enough bullet-proof glass around him!! Why didn't they put more up?"

I don't think people our age will ever think differently, sadly enough.

[Spritz57]

8. I had the same thought,

given the inflammatory rhetoric, the anger on the losing side, and our country's history, I was probably more anxious about his surviving the speech than winning the election. I don't wish to sound paranoid but progressives have suffered terrific losses due to assassination over the course of my lifetime.

[annabanana]

9. Here too.

I said to my 19 year old... The Secret Service had damn well better be on their game.

[TBF]

10. Jesse had tears in his eyes most of the night and you know it was

for all who came before. I kept thinking "get back in the limo where it's safe". But it sure feels good to have the new memories of hope in Grant Park. Now, in memory of Dr. King, we move this guy even further left so people in this country can get some relief. It is a good day.

[ananda]

11. As a child of the 60's, it was so sweet and touching..

.. to see Jesse Jackson crying in Grant Park
last night.

And to see his son taking up the mantle of
change in Congress.

Thank you America, and thank you LBJ and
Dems for Civil Rights.

[Shanti Mama]

12. As a 1953 baby my 'outside of my world' memories begin

with JFK and the missile crisis. I remember John, Martin and Bobby's deaths. I was terrified when the Obama family strolled out to meet the crowd. Please, god, keep them all safe.