John Kerry’s Eulogy of Rosa Parks

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry’s Eulogy of Rosa Parks
November 2nd, 2005

Senator John Kerry’s delivered a beautiful eulogy of Rosa Parks, today at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan. The following is the text of the eulogy:

Senator John Kerry - Eulogy of Rosa Parks
Detroit, Michigan
November 2, 2005 - As prepared for delivery

“When I met Rosa Parks, I was overwhelmed by this graceful, small woman’s quiet strength and humility - her conviction in taking on the army of power that was deployed before her - her courage to dig in, knowing full well the power of the courthouse, the power of the sheriff’s badge, the power of the vigilante, the power of the establishment - knowing that on dark country roads or after a knock on the door in the middle of the night, people still disappeared and died almost anonymous deaths except for those who loved them. So many killed just trying to be citizens in the land of the free.

“Rosa Parks reminded many and taught even more how to talk truth to power. In an era when these words are thrown around too easily, she lived the words ‘courage’ and ‘patriot’ - she loved the dream of our country more than herself and she was willing to risk it all to live the dream.

“In the struggle for civil rights, some were called to stand up to Bull Connor’s fire hoses and police dogs - some to stand up to Klan terrorism - and some to stand up to state sponsored acts of violence. But some were called simply to sit down - at lunch counters in Greensboro and Nashville and Atlanta - or on a bus in Montgomery.

“Rosa Parks was about progress, not memory. Yes, she sat down so we could stand up, but not so we could stand still.

“The bus still comes by again and again and each time we have to decide whether to go quietly to the back, or by simple acts of courage and conviction change the direction of our own country’s journey.

“If she did that, then how much greater is the responsibility of those of us with privilege and power who pay tribute to her today. The life of Rosa Parks demands deeds, not epitaphs. For the final words cannot be spoken or written while her cause is still unfinished. Nothing we say here can match what she did in that sacred moment on a municipal bus in Montgomery, Alabama. What matters now is what we do after the casket is gone, the candles are quenched, and the next bus comes by.

“For Rosa Parks and for America, it is our own time to answer ‘no’ to those who would deny or degrade equality in the name of states’ rights, or with the false claim that our history is color blind. When she sat down on that bus it was affirmative action; now we must stand up for affirmative action, for Rosa Parks and for our country.

“It is our time to demand that every vote be counted and no voters be discounted because of the color of their skin - for Rosa Parks and for our country.

“It is our time, now more than ever, to defend the right of women to live in a world where the mountaintops are no longer reserved for men. Our time to remember that after the Pope blessed her and placed rosary beads around her neck, Rosa Parks wrote to him in gratitude. She said ‘my lifetime mission has been simple, that all men and women are created equal under the eyes of our Lord.’

“For Rosa Parks and for our country, it is our time to oppose prejudice not appease it; to dispel the fear of some towards others, not exploit it; to lift up the many - not the few, and to uphold the true patriotism that does what is right, not which justifies injustice or past errors.

“Sometimes the days seem heavy and the odds seem high, but that moment on a bus in Montgomery always comes. Someone gets on that bus, refuses to equivocate or yield and changes history. Today, that someone must be us, for Rosa Parks and for our country.”

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1032

[TayTay]

1. The whole service has been wonderful and inspiring.

Wonderful! A very fitting tribute to one of the Mothers of the Nation. And Sen. Kerry (and many other speakers at this funeral service) were wonderful in calling people to remember that this battle is not done and you pay tribute best when you carry on.

[_dynamicdems]

2. Beautiful.

Wow! What a poignant speech. Some of these words moved me to tears. Is it just me or does it seem that this speech was one John Kerry wrote personally? I've read quite a few things he's written and he has an almost poetic way with words. It truly seems to be from the heart? Does anyone else get this impression?

[whometense]

3. I believe he always

writes his own speeches. In longhand, on legal pads. Here's some evidence:

[karynnj]

4. They all have touches and wording that sound like no one else

I was surprised even reading his informal journals (in Tour of Duty) to see that some of the thoughts he expressed before the Senate were there in somewhat similar form two years before when he was still in Vietnam. There are few politicians who can write as well as he can.

What I loved about today's speech is that he put her action in context in so many ways. The description of the forces against her and the real risks was stark, concise and clear. His speech seemed so personally about her and her life and it had a very warm feel. It reminded me in some ways of his Jackie Robinson speech. In both, he eulogizes the person by teaching the listener about the person's life and values. (RE: Earlier discussion - he should always follow Hillary - He was far far warmer, most definitely not the least bit aloof)

[ginnyinWI]

7. it was like the Robinson speech in this way:

In both, he notices and brings up the qualities he personally values, like courage, humility, quiet strength, conviction, patriotism, speaking truth to power, loving the dream of our country--qualities that he himself has to the max.

If you read through the eulogy again but with Kerry himself in mind, you will see what I mean.

[Noisy Democrat]

15. Definitely he should always go after Hillary

She was *dreadful* -- trying to be inspirational, but she was simply hectoring the audience. She sounded like a cafeteria lady in junior high school lecturing the students about good lunchtime manners. JK came across as very sincere and moving. The contrast was quite striking.

[_dynamicdems]

5. He does write them all? Wow!

I'm a little surprised because some of the speeches John Kerry made during the campaign didn't sound quite as much like the Senator. It must be very difficult for him to write all his own material, especially with the grueling schedule Senator Kerry maintains, but I'm really happy to hear this. Even the famous "Ask Not" speech given by John F. Kennedy was written for him, not by him. This makes our favorite Senator's speeches even more remarkable!

When I have the time, I search through things John Kerry has said and submit them to a quotation site, so this makes me even happier about my little "project."

[ginnyinWI]

9. Oh, I don't think he writes everything,

but his speechwriters must know him well and know how to put his ideas into words. I would imagine that he jots down key points, has the writer do it up, and then goes over it and edits. That's what I picture any busy politician doing. Especially on the campaign trail, he must have had help.
The reason I think this is that someone noted that he wrote his DNC Convention acceptance speech entirely himself--meaning that for others he got help. Speechwriters write in the style that their boss likes and can handle. I read that the ones who write for * have to keep their sentences very short!

That said, I believe things like this eulogy were written by him alone. They are not time-consuming to write, and need to be sincere, heart-felt and personal. He is a very good writer, and great speaker as well of course.

[_dynamicdems]

14. This did seem so Kerry-like

It was incredible, but I didn't get the full effect until I saw him on C-Span a little while ago. Wow!

[jillan]

6. Thanks for posting this. I just got home, and missed all of this.

What a lovely tribute from our favorite senator.

[JI7]

10. i missed it also

anyone know if it will show on tv again or anywhere else i can watch it.

[JI7]

11. ok, cspan 2 is about to repeat it

at 12 am eastern .

[politicasista]

8. Nice eulogy

Thanks Kerry. :)

[kerrygoddess]

12. PICS

[kerrygoddess]

13. I love this - Gov Granholm

[ginnyinWI]

16. compare/contrast HRC and Kerry

I rewatched the eulogies this morning. Hillary's had such a different tone and I compared with Kerry's. She spoke of Rosa Parks as more of an icon, and JK spoke of her primarily as a brave woman who stood up to power. Hillary used it as a call to action, as did Kerry, but she did it by showing anger and raising her voice. He used a heartfelt appeal, calling people to follow her example of courage. He also had a much greater sense of history, putting Rosa Parks into the context of everything else that has happened in civil rights.

When Hillary invoked "God", it just didn't sit right for me. It seemed like an add-on. When JK quoted Rosa as saying "we are all equal in the sight of the Lord" it was much more natural--and since he was quoting Rosa Parks, it didn't come off as a politician playing the "God card".

And he was, of course, so much more eloquent (ok I'm biased, but it was still pretty obvious). He used the imagery of the bus very well. The "there will be a bus coming along for each one of us" line was just perfect.

I think his speech was interrupted by applause more than Hillary's, although both got cheers and applause. So I don't think we need to worry that JK has been forgotten by people. What do you think?

[whometense]

17. My impressions were pretty much

exactly the same as yours. Except I can't say them as nicely as you do, so I've been biting my tongue. I was put off by Hillary's "god stuff" - I agree it seemed forced and insincere. I can't see how talking about religion without communicating true emotion is supposed to impress anyone.

I also loved Kerry's use of the bus metaphor. I thought it was clear, but poetic. And I loved the quiet way he spoke. Hillary seemed to be trying to match the preachers in volume, even if she couldn't in passion. JK wisely spoke quietly and with sincerity - what he does best. And that's my completely objective (:rofl:) opinion.

[Island Blue]

18. I agree with both of you.

To me, the way Hillary started off "This is the day the Lord has made let's rejoice and be glad in it" sounded like she was trying to out-preach the preachers who were gathered for the service. (Note to Hillary: When you're in a room full of Beethovens, don't try to play the piano.) Her delivery sounded like something in-between a campaign speech and an attempt at a sermon.

[beachmom]

19. I finally got to watch it, too.

I thought Al Sharpton was the best speaker, although JK's speech had more meat to it. (I especially remember him saying we can't "stand still"). Did anyone sense that he was dissing all of the elected officials' speeches, inferring that they only came to the funeral to get a vote? Since he dissed all the AA who stayed home on election day, I suppose he was being fair, but geez, why did he do that? Had they all left by then, so he felt free to say that?

In regards to Hillary, if I were her consultant I would urge her to stop yelling in that monotone voice!! At the very end of her speech, she spoke more quietly and in a more conversational tone, and that's her best voice. I've never found her to be a very inspirational speaker, but I don't underestimate her as far as a political strategist. She may well be our nominee in '08 -- not a favorite of mine, but I don't want to go too negative on her just in case.

When Hillary got up to speak she got a standing ovation. However, when Kerry got up to speak they cut to outside the church, so I don't know if people stood up for him or not. A lot of Amens from his speech. Once again, for me, JK is about his words just as much as his presentation. And I think his actions do echo his words so it isn't empty rhetoric which Al Sharpton was trying to infer (who did he mean by that? did anyone else feel he was dissing Hillary and Kerry? or am I nuts?). I thought he was quiet and respectful, and he tried to give his speech quickly, as he knew that there were so many speeches to go. That's a very subtle example of his consideration of others.

One last thing -- I still would like some info about * and this funeral. Only Democrats came. Not one Republican! A tough call for * -- he definitely would have been entering "enemy territory", but had he gone, and given a respectful speech, well . . . I don't know. I think he has permanently lost the AA vote (another good line from Sharpton: they went looking for WMD where there were none, and missed a hurricane coming toward New Orleans!).

So in conclusion -- thought Sharpton was the best (I'm trying to be objective here) but he seemed to be dissing Democrats (not helpful), Hillary did her best in her speech when she stopped shouting, and Kerry was the President, since the real one wouldn't bother to show up. Oh yeah, I skipped Bill, because I didn't have a lot of time, plus I was more interested in Hillary -- the torch has indeed been passed in that couple. Anyone else think Kerry was downright presidential, a literal stand in for *?

[ginnyinWI]

21. well he was MY president!

Yes he was his usual presidential self :). Our representative, shadow president. Leader of (at least) half the people, in this divided country.

Another thing about Hillary (and Bill): did anyone see shots of them toward the beginning where they were laughing and talking about something? This was supposed to be a funeral, although also a joyous celebration of a life. But it just seemed kind of irreverant, to me. Nothing like that from JK. He started out with a gentle joke about wanting to say, "thankya!" like one of the Reverends, but that was in absolutely impeccible taste.

[ginnyinWI]

23. oh and about Al

He was great, but then he is a preacher and has been preaching since he was a child!

I didn't feel any criticism from him toward Democrats. Mainly against the status quo in America that needs to change. My take on it, anyway.

[karynnj]

20. I agree with both of you entirely

I also liked Kerry's joke at the beginning - which I didn't understand until I saw the Reverand he referred to who gave an absolutely incredible on fire job. It was cool because he both admired the passion but essentially said he was who he was.

What's funny is that Hillary's and Kerry's metaphors were on the same thing - but I thought Hillary's talking a "Rosa Park moments we all have" diminished the real Rosa Parks' moment which Kerry referred to as a sacred moment. Most of us will never face the "opportunity" of a Rosa Park's moment, they thankfully rarely come along.

I'm not sure that Hillary's voice problem was of volume, but that her voice when loud is both a little nasal and strident. I also thougt hers was the "coldest". The black preachers (and probably Bill Clinton whose speech I didn't catch yet) are very warm. Kerry, in his own way, was very warm, sincere and genuine - and he did speak quietly, letting the words develop their own strength. I think this was one of the most poetic speeches I've heard him give.

I think he did get far more response during his speech than Hillary. I was surprised that he seemed to get as much appalause as she did when she stepped up. (Maybe, the love they have for Bill Clinton is not transferable. I noticed in the bet.com Politicsistah posted that Hillary was neither mentoned or quoted.)

[ginnyinWI]

22. good points, Karyn as usual!

You are right on diminishing Rosa Parks's action: it was like she was saying, "well anyone can do the same any day of the week", which is not the tone JK took at all. Back then it was much different than today, and what she did was very brave.

Hillary always comes off as cold to me, too. She really, really wants Bill's "mojo" but I just don't think she has it. She really wants the AA vote and tries to speak in a way that appeals--but she's trying to be something she simply isn't. I think I mentioned before how she was speaking to another AA group about Katrina relief, and she turned on a Southern drawl for the occasion.