Today there will be a plethora of things written about the events that occurred 50 years ago on this date. I'll not add to the speculations and opinions. If you're watching TV there will be a cacophony of voices doing enough for all. There are new books and movies being launched on the subject, some with new conclusions some attempting to confirm old ones.
On 22 November 1963 I was six years old and in the 1st Grade at Griffith Elementary School in Winston-Salem NC. Griffith was in it's last year as 1-12 school (elementary, Junior and Senior high schools), the following year the 10-12th grades would be attending one of the new High schools built after the consolidation of the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County school systems. We were three years away from integrated schools and eight from court ordered busing which would bring us much closer to being more fully integrated.
As a six year old I don't think I was old enough to fully recognize the significance of the events as they were occurring. Six year olds mostly take their cues from the adults and older children around them. I and my classmates knew from the somberness in the voice of the Principal as he made the announcement, that the news was profound. The immediate change in the attitude of Mrs. McMicheal was very apparent. Mrs. McMicheal had been (from the eyes of a 6 YO) a stern taskmaster, but upon hearing the news her whole manor softened. For what remained of the school day (we went until 3PM EST) Mrs. McMicheal's voice was somber and reverent.
For me the rest of the day and the days to follow are all jumbled together in snippets from the news as it was reported. Add to that the often repeated pieces we see over and over in movies and documentaries of Chet Huntley or Walter Cronkite making their multitude of comments and observations and it's hard to recall what I saw then versus what I've seen since. I do remember watching the funeral procession as a live broadcast, beyond that, who knows???
On with the games!!
Mojo Friday Guidelines
Disclaimer; Kinda like the Pirates Code, they're just guidelines, meant for fun. They aren't hard and fast rules.
1) If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.)
2) Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
3) You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
4) You don't have to comment to recommend.
5) You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen. It has in numerous forms, I'm flattered!)
6) Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo.
7) TexDem (that's me) is not bound by the guidelines. Neither are you
Mojo Friday Goals
Disclaimer; These are mostly here for nostalgia, the site has changed so much and the servers have been upgraded to the point I don't think we could fuck with the site with 1000 people participating. 2007 it ain't.
A. At least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM EST and 1500 by 5:00 PM EST Friday Night that it's posted.
B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Show by Woodtick and bjedward.
G. (New) Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips).
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying.
For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez (the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.