Robert F. Kennedy- On the Mindless Menace of Violence

It would be helpful to YouTube viewers, and particularly young persons, if you would provide the historical context of the video of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy that you posted.

It was titled "On the Mindless Menace of Violence" and was delivered at the City Club of Cleveland at Cleveland, Ohio, on April 5, 1968, in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As you know, Senator Kennedy delivered a deeply moving, mostly extemporaneous address to a largely "black" audience at an outdoor rally at Indianapolis, Ind., within two hours after Dr. King's assassination.

The Cleveland speech is not as well known, but is a more complete meditation on the causes and dangers of violence, at home and abroad. It was drafted by his young speechwriters Jeff Greenfield (now of CBS News) and Adam Walinsky with contributions from Theodore C. (Ted) Sorensen, the principal speechwriter of Kennedy's martyred brother, President John F. Kennedy, himself a victim of assassination (Edwin O. Guthman and C. Richard Allen, eds., "RFK: Collected Speeches" [New York: Viking-Penguin, 1993], pp. 358-61).

The text of Kennedy's speech could be found on many Web sites and blogs, including the following:

http://www.rfkmemorial.org/lifevision/onthemindlessmenaceofviolence/

The above is courtesy of Paul Lee from Best Efforts, Inc.

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[cherry88]

This is probably my favorite, or in my top 2 favorite of his speeches, so heartfelt and eloquent.

[dburr13]

RFK's words remain relevant...Sadly we have far to go before we can know the way of peace...

If hate is all you have...then hate is all you will receive...on and on and on...forever...Back and forth the blood will spill...In mindless...hopeless...endless. .. violence...Until some brave souls have enough faith to believe in peace...To reject the hatred they were taught in childhood...To reach out across man made boundaries and become the greater beings we were intended to be.

[jojobanner1]

a kegend that all people could have proud of

[Boelcke1919]

This is why people believe Bobby Kennedy would have been in effect "our second Lincoln," because of his compassion, his moral standing and his intense focus on good. Had Bobby lived and won in 1968, the history of the world would no doubt have been much better.

[midnightowl401]

Respond to this video... one day we the mexican and indian americans will recover our land take it from the devil and everithing will go back to normal

[midnightowl401]

@midnightowl401 fuck the americans

[midnightowl401]

@spiralicus you americans only take care of your own so stop giving this guy what he dosent deserve when the world does something against represion theres the americans you american are not free because you wont let yourselfs out of it

[08dukeduke]

These speeches are so touching. You listen to Obama and it's not the same. RIP Bobby.

[RFKFANTS67]

Us Canadian's love you! and your family Bobby...and although gone you'll never be forgotton! You and your brother's were such good men. I wish we had such great leaders instead of bumbling fools!

[fatman1001]

can you upload the full video of this speech?