The Passing of An Icon

Written: 08/26/09

The end of a legacy and an era has come about with the passing of the beloved “Lion of the Senate”, Senator Edward “Teddy” Kennedy. His passing ends a time for citizens, such as myself, who came up hearing about the Kennedy’s; about JFK, Bobby, Jackie and Camelot. I was in 3rd grade when the nation lost JFK.

The legacy of the Kennedy clan was not only in politics but in the manner and the issues which Teddy chose to get involved with and for which he fought. From the start, the Kennedy lads were taught that since they were from a privileged family, they had to give back and give back is exactly what Teddy did with much compassion and gusto. To digress a little, it’s too bad more parents with wealth don’t share the same philosophy with their offsprings, then maybe someone such as Paris Hilton and the many like her, could actually do something for others not so privileged instead of trying to hawk camera time for their vanity. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died a couple of weeks ago, devoted her time to address the needs and the relevance of citizens with impediments. The three Kennedy sons, Jack, Bobby and Teddy used their political positions to fight for minorities and anyone who had no voice; something that those of the right-wing persuasion should learn since they alleged that they’re religious. With the passing of the “Lion”, the old politics is out the window. The conservatives no longer want to meet halfway, they want the ability to have the entire cake and the passing of the “Lion” comes at a most critical time because health care reform is most definitely needed for the vast majority of citizens, children and adults alike, who are suffering from lack of medical attention. Poor and middle class families are going into bankruptcy and becoming homeless due to medical bills, while doctors and insurance heads are becoming wealthier yet not providing the best of or the necessary medical care. Senator Kennedy fought for issues that addressed the poor more often than some of his learned colleagues on either side of the aisle. Who now will carry that torch? Who now will be bold enough and fearless enough to take on the tasks that were so dear to Teddy’s heart? With a modicum of sarcasm, I note that Teddy fought for the issues that affected poor African-Americans more often than some African-American politicians. He never failed to recognize that equality has still not been achieved even with the election of President Barack Obama. He recognized and knew that Obama was a man after his own heart, thus throwing his support behind then Senator Obama. In actuality Obama could be a long-lost brother of the Kennedy clan as his and Teddy’s vision were so similar, it’s a little eerie.

In closing, I restate that an era is over. Teddy Kennedy wasn’t just a senator but an icon with power who wielded it correctly. As I was raised in Massachusetts, his doggedness reminds me of another former icon who was Speaker of the House during the Reagan administration, Tip O’Neal. Those Irishmen were tenacious to say the least, like pitbulls, you couldn’t shake them from their positions to help the underclass. If these new breed of politicians, from both sides of the aisle but more so the right-wing elements, had half the honor and dignity of Teddy Kennedy, what a difference it would make for our country; but as they’re more concerned with pleasing those with wealth and power and the almighty dollar, one could only dare to dream.