‘Imagine all the people, sharing all the world,’ sang John Lennon.
And they shot him.
‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,’ ministered the Reverend Martin Luther King.
And they shot him.
‘Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal,’ called John F. Kennedy.
And they shot him.
‘I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent,’ spoke Mahatma Gandhi.
And they shot him.
‘Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance,’ rallied Robert F. Kennedy.
And they shot him.
‘Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,’ spoke Abraham Lincoln.
And they shot him.
Imagine we did more than listen to their words. Imagine we did more than remember those words.
Imagine we lived by their words.

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Imagination curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
My first novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
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We try, but the reprisal for acting against the crowd is harsh…and as you say above, often deadly. Better to groundswell, stay near the essential beneficiaries of right action and love?
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The price they paid was certainly a lot, if only their legacy could be rewarded more.
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Up to all of us to be the change, eh?
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Everyone be nicer to each other. Surely that’s a policy everyone can agree with.
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Brilliant – are their words more poignant and remembered because they were cut short?
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I think they definitely carry more power because of it. Thank you.
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Powerfully said!!
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Thank you.
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I want to live in that world. I want the future to be that world.
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Me too. Thanks for reading.
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You’d think it would be easy enough… none of it needs more than common decency and a bit of shared humanity…
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Yep, easy to forget that the vast majority of people manage to do it just fine. Unfortunately the vocal and powerful seem to struggle with it…
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A sad reflection on a society where the majority is seldom heard above the rhetoric and powermongering.
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A brilliant post Iain.
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Thank you Di
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That is an excellent and terrible observation. Fortunately, living by those ideals is much safer than standing up for them. Unfortunately, we can’t seem to do to as a species.
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It takes courage to put your head above the parapet and demand change. As a species we do have some horrific tendencies.
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True and true.
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Don’t get shot. jk
Of course Ronald Reagan was shot (he lived) and someone tried to shoot Gerald Ford (they missed), so the analogy might not be quite that well mapped.
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Not meant as an analogy, more just a reflection. An interesting thought though – how would Ford and Reagan be judged now if either had suffered a similar fate to those that sadly were killed?
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It would be an interesting piece of speculative fiction, but would require a ton of research. So far, the most popular story along those lines is what would have happened if JFK had lived.
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Yes, started with the same man, but took it a different direction. And I agree, if only the world did listen to their words. Do you remember the old song, “Abraham, Martin and John”?
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I didn’t know that one, just looked it up and had a listen. Thanks for the tip.
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In 1968 wouldn’t include John, and it was mostly Americans, so no Gandhi, but it had the other 4 you used in there.
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Yes. Imagine.
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Expertly written Iain. I have no lightening bolt of wisdom to bring this to fruition though. Wish I did.
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If only someone could find that magic answer.
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So well said, Iain. Imagine if they had been around a little longer, huh?
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It may have been a very different world, or perhaps nothing would have changed? Who knows.
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And hey, you might resonate to this, by Brass Against Rage Against the Machine cover):
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This was such a powerful post, Iain. The world would truly be such a different and happier place if we all lived by those words instead of remembering them.
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Thank you Jade
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Powerful, Iain. Well done!
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Thank you Jennie, hope you are well.
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You’re welcome, Iain. All is well. Best to you!
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Reblogged this on Jordy’s Streamings.
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Beautiful.
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Thank you
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Reblogged this on Not Tomatoes and commented:
A powerful post by Iain Kelly
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Wow. Powerful post. But do they truly try, or just look for an easy way out?
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Thank you for reading Michele
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Reblogged this on cabbagesandkings524 and commented:
Ian Kelly – Yes, imagine that.
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Wow, what a stunning and thought provoking piece.
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Thank you Suzanne
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Well done. Thinking of MLK of course, and what if? But the thoughts and words are still there to take to heart. Guns seem to be louder these days than anyone’s words. (K)
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That’s a sad truth indeed
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So many of us do live by their words. The people who need to listen to them, don’t. I do imagine a better world but I fear it will always remain the kind where there are too many deaf people.
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I’m afraid so Susi, it never seems to change.
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:_( And that is sad.
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Wow, Iain. What a powerful piece of writing. I’m trying to gather myself and recover after being blown away. Phenomenal.
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Thank you so much, so glad you thought so highly of it.
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Powerful Iain.. Thanks for reminding these people..
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You’re welcome
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