Conaway: Deja 1968? A nation’s test
In this June 5, 1968 file photograph, U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-NY, speaks to campaign workers, June 5, 1968, as his wife Ethel, left, and California campaign manager and speaker of the California Assembly, Jesse Unruh, look on, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. After making a short speech, Kennedy was shot in an adjacent room. Before the apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13, 2024, there have been multiple instances of political violence targeting U.S. presidents, former presidents and major party presidential candidates. (AP Photo file)
Dan Conaway
Dan Conaway was a freelance columnist with The Daily Memphian from 2018 to 2025.
The Daily Memphian welcomes a diverse range of views from guest columnists on topics of local interest and impact. Columns are subject to editorial review and editing for length and clarity. If you’re interested in having a guest column considered by The Daily Memphian, email Eric Barnes.
Fifty-six years ago, we had one of our biggest tests as a nation and certainly our biggest test as a city.
1968 was a horrible year.
Vietnam
January 1968
After assurances that we were winning the war in Vietnam, the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong launched the Tet Offensive, proving that they could coordinate a major attack. It was becoming obvious we were being misled — no, lied to — about the war. I knew kids who went. We saw kids die on television. I knew kids who died.
The hippies, the New Left, Black Power and other counterculture movements — lots of counterculture movements — sprang up and grew into open clashes between generations and races.
Topics
Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization with a hybrid business model, we rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and miscellaneous earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Dan Conaway on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Dan Conaway's stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Conaway: In the Sunset Symphony, then and now, there is magic
The Sunset Symphony at the Overton Park Shell was testimony that people, thousands of them, will rise above the claims and clamor of crime to gather in Overton Park at night for the reality of a shared and celebratory experience.
Conaway: A place unto us
“If you didn’t like my proposal for starting the state of West Tennessee a couple of weeks ago, there’s this possibility: The City-state of Memphis.”
Conaway: In the rearview mirror, I see hope ahead
The occasion was an Alpha Tau Omega fraternity reunion of the members and Little Sisters from, oh, 1967 to 1976 at UT. Ancient Greeks.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.