The greatest victories are often forgotten because they created a world where the conditions over which the the victor triumphed are obsolete
Senator Kennedy was a great man who spent his life fighting for those who have no voice. His work on healthcare dominates current media coverage, and his fight for economic justice deserves much more coverage than it will get. But, just as importantly, we all need to recognize Senator Kennedy's enormous contributions to the fight for civil rights.
Ted Kennedy was born in an America where black kids and white kids couldn't serve in the army together, couldn't go to school together (in much of the country), couldn't marry each other (in much of the country), and where millions were denied jobs and opportunities because of the color of their skin.
Senator Kennedy died in a country with a black president. We still have racial issues today and lord knows this country has problems to overcome, but we have come so far. I'm a white guy and I'm marrying a black woman in 2 weeks - Ted Kennedy deserves our eternal grattitude for building a world where most people don't bat an eyelash at our President or at my marriage.
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