There are reports the late Robert Kennedy gave a speech to the Voice of America 40 years ago where he was alleged to have said: Things are “moving so fast in race relations a Negro could be president in 40 years.” Kennedy also is alleged to have said in that same broadcast, “Prejudice exists and probably will continue to… `but we have tried to make progress and we are making progress. We are not going to accept the status quo.’”
The Voice of America confirms Robert Kennedy did an address exclusively for VOA on race relations on May 25, 1961. Major news networks like NBC and ABC have already called asking about it. Unfortunately, the tape cannot be located…nor is there a transcript. The chief librarian of the Voice of America says the quotes can also be found in a book called “Excerpts in Rights for Americans: The Speeches of Robert F. Kennedy”. With that said, as America prepares for the November General elections, what do you think of that Kennedy assessment over 40 years later?
Tim Russert dedicated a segment of Meet the Press to Bobby Kennedy’s prophetic words.