Mindless Menace of Violence

“Our lives on this planet are too short and the work to be done too great

to let this spirit flourish any longer in our land.

Of course, we cannot vanish it with a program nor with a resolution.

But we can perhaps remember, if only for a time,

that those who live with us are our brothers and sisters;

that they share with us the same short moment of life;

that they seek, as do we, nothing but the chance

to live out our lives in purpose and in happiness,

winning what satisfaction and fulfillment we can.

Surely this bond of a common fate, this bond of a common goal,

can begin to teach us something.

Surely we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow man;

and surely we can begin to work a little harder

to bind up the wounds among us and

to become in our hearts brothers and sisters, compatriots once again.”

Robert F. Kennedy      ( 1925 – 1968 )