"In Absentia Lucis, Tenebrae Vincunt"
Second Place: Connor Joyce
Hershey High School
"In Absentia Lucis, Tenebrae Vincunt" is a Latin phrase meaning “in the absence of light, darkness prevails” (Crow). This absence became evident on April 4, 1968, when clergyman and civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at a motel in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. As the nation grappled with the murder of Dr. King, the collective sadness of the public rapidly escalated into violence all across the country. However, while the nation turned destructive, one city remained peaceful. This city was Indiana’s capital, Indianapolis. Now you may be wondering what made this city so special, what made this city remain peaceful? The answer, the wise and heartfelt words of then United States Senator and 1968 Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy.
It was during this chaotic moment of darkness when Robert F. Kennedy, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, went downtown to the center of a restless crowd, climbed on the back of a flatbed truck, and delivered a timeless message that united the people during this moment of crisis. When Robert F. Kennedy began, he emotionally placed his hand on his head and solemnly said that “I have some -- some very sad news for all of you, and ...for all of our fellow citizens… that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee” (Eidenmuller).
As these words tumbled off Kennedy’s tongue, the people were instantly overcome with an array of emotions. In honoring Dr. King, Senator Kennedy recalled a leader who “dedicated his life to love and to justice between fellow human beings” (Eidenmuller). As the city continued to commiserate and mourn the loss of Dr. King. Robert F. Kennedy related to the group's feelings of anger, fear, and immense sadness. Emotionally sharing that he “... had a member of [his] family killed, but he was [also] killed by a white man”, referring to his older brother, and former thirty-fifth President John F. Kennedy who was also struck down by a horrific act of violence nearly five years prior (Eidenmuller). Robert F. Kennedy sensing the crowd's continued urge to revolt said “... we can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand… and replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed… with an effort to understand, compassion, and love” (Eidenmuller). These powerful words demonstrate just how much Robert F. Kennedy truly understood the crowd's emotions as well as the lessons of Dr. King’s messages