Inasmuch as everyone is sharing stories about the thoughtfulness of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, I may as well add mine. While attending the national Democratic convention in Denver last August, I wrote a column about what he had to go through to atte
Inasmuch as everyone is sharing stories about the thoughtfulness of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, I may as well add mine. While attending the national Democratic convention in Denver last August, I wrote a column about what he had to go through to attend the event.
“It is remarkable that Kennedy appeared at the convention at all,” I wrote at the time. “After undergoing an operation for one of the most serious forms of brain cancer, he flew to Denver by chartered plane, checked into the University of Colorado Hospital on Sunday, the day before his scheduled speech. There, he had a painful encounter with kidney stones.
“Still in pain, he was determined to address delegates Monday night. He left his hospital bed, was driven to the Pepsi Center, and then traveled backstage on a golf cart. Kennedy walked unassisted to the stage, gave a rousing 10-minute speech and returned to his hospital bed. It was one of the most courageous performances I have ever witnessed. I can’t think of a more deserving profile in courage.”
A few days later, a Kennedy staffer e-mailed me requesting my address so that the senator could send me a note.
Indeed, in a note dated Sept. 8, 2008 – my mother’s 79th birthday – he wrote: “Dear Mr. Curry, I was deeply moved by your column last week. Your kind words both touched my heart and lifted my spirits. Traveling to Denver was no easy journey, but nothing was going to keep me from that special gathering.
“Thank you so much for your generous words. You certainly gave me new strength for the weeks ahead, and for that I’m very grateful. With respect and appreciation, Edward M. Kennedy.” It was signed, “Ted.” He added, “Many thanks George.”
Again, I was moved by the man. Here he was fighting for his life yet he took the time to send me – and many others – a personal note. Over the weekend, we heard dozens of stories about his legendary thoughtfulness.
That was the personal side of Ted Kennedy. Democrats should learn from the public side. The problem is that after drifting to the right for more than a decade, it is difficult to discern what Democrats stand for anymore. In the past, they always portrayed themselves the liberal alternative to conservative Republicans. However, Democrats are so busy running from the L-word that they risk becoming Republicrats, a crude cross between Democrats and Republicans.
As a nation, we admire fighters. And Ted Kennedy was a fighter; he battled for civil rights when it was not popular, he pushed for higher wages, gender equality and improving the lives of the disabled.
______
To read the rest of this article, subscribe to our digital or paper edition. For previous editions, contact us for details.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
