The war in Vietnam had been raging on for 13 years by the time 68’ rolled around, and contrary to what U.S. Officials said, the dawn of a new year did not bring any signs of change. The Vietnamese have a long history of attacking on a holiday, as it is least expected by the enemy. The Vietnamese New Year, January 30th, also did not bring change. The pro north Viet Cong launched a rogue attack of 6,700 troops on 36 province capitals and 5 major cities in an assault known as The Tet Offensive.
The Tet Offensive was different though, as it was one of the first major military conflicts captured and broadcast live on Television. Citizens were granted a window into the horrors of the front lines. Cronkite’s reporting on the event resulted in a major shift in public opinion on the Vietnam War.
Mixed Media: Collage, Acrylic Paint, Spray Paint
Even before Martin Luther King’s assassination, the Civil Rights movement was in shambles. Falling victim to a series of infighting, the movement suffered from an identity crisis, a pervasive theme for this historical year. King’s choice not to participate in the “Freedom Rides” sent ripples through the Civil Rights movement, causing some to question his devotion. Others thought he was just in it for media attention. Under constant surveillance by the F.B.I. and a movement fracturing beneath him, King’s own physical and mental state began to deteriorate. He gained a significant amount of weight and suffered from depressed that manifested in speeches progressively focused on death; he felt change was not happening quickly enough. A lifetime supporter of nonviolent tactics, even King began to question himself, and was quoted in March saying “Maybe we just have to admit that the day of violence is here, and maybe we have to just give up and let violence take its course. The nation won’t listen to our voice. Maybe it will heed the voice of violence.” He was assassinated April 4th, 1968.
In the midst of the turmoil in Vietnam, the deterioration of Civil Rights, and the rioting and protesting, 1968 was also a Presidential Election year. With the election came displays of power, ambition, and the installment of hope. A rallying to the American populace that everything is going to be okay; and no candidate for the office embodied that more than Bobby Kennedy. America had been through hell in the past decade, reeling from assassination after assassination. Bobby’s personal suffering from the death of his brother in 1963, the Nation’s President John F. Kennedy, positioned him as an empathetic figure. Bobby shared his brother’s charismatic “made for T.V.” quality, and was very outspoken against the war in Vietnam. At the California primary he finally surpassed Eugene McCarthy’s considerable lead, the only other anti-war, anti-establishment candidate, by 48 to 42 percent. “And now it’s on to Chicago, and let’s win there,” he said. The party was seemingly unified behind him in his message of hope. Only minutes later, Bobby was shot 3 times by a Jordanian man named Sirhan Sirhan, over his support for Israel. June 6th, 1968, on the kitchen floor of The Ambassador Hotel, Bobby died along with Democratic unity and a sense of hope.
Prior to his death, Bobby Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy, both anti-war candidates, ran against the incumbent Lindon B. Johnson for the Democratic primary nomination. Johnson eventually dropped out of consideration due to dissent within his own party with the conditions of the Vietnam War. Johnson’s vice president, Hubert Humphrey took his place in running for the nomination. This angered Democratic party members as Humphrey was seen as an extension of Johnson and the war establishment. While 80% of primary voters voted for both McCarthy and Kennedy for their anti war stance, Humphrey was backed by his party which represented continuation of the war. Humphrey ultimately won the nomination, which led the general public to believe that the DNC was rigged. Riots broke out, and it was one the largest events of civil unrest, leading to violent conflict with the police.
Companion booklet accompanying my “1968” gallery show. Extensive research went into creating the final paintings, the booklet provided a way to convey some of that missing nuance while also providing a way to document process work.
