The Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) at Ball State has been awarded a grant from the Library of Congres for a project, titled 'With Compassion Toward One Another: Preparing for the Challenge of Civic Unity for America250 Through the Legacy of Kennedy and King, April 4th, 1968' that will empower educators to teach civic courage and public service using the legacies of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This initiative led by CECL in partnership with the Indiana Historical Society and Ball State University Libraries and Archives is anchored in the historic events of April 4, 1968, when Senator Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Ball State, just hours before giving a moving and impromptu eulogy delivered in Indianapolis the night of King’s assassination.
A Legacy of Compassion in Divided Times
“This project brings together some of the most powerful lessons in American history,” said Dr. Roof. “The events of April 4, 1968, exemplify civic leadership grounded in empathy and moral courage. Our goal is to provide educators with resources to help students engage deeply with this legacy, and apply it to today’s challenges.”
In alignment with the upcoming America250 celebration of the nation’s Semiquincentennial, the project emphasizes civic reflection, dialogue, and service-learning. It uses original Library of Congress primary sources, including civil rights-era photographs, trial documents, audio of Kennedy’s speeches, and King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, to foster meaningful classroom inquiry.
April 4, 1968: A Catalyst for Civic Reflection
On the afternoon of April 4, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy delivered a scheduled campaign address at Ball State speaking before an audience of over 10,000 students and faculty in Irving Gymnasium. Hours later, while in route to Indianapolis for another campaign stop, Kennedy received word of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Despite the risk of unrest and warnings to cancel the event, Kennedy insisted on proceeding, delivering an extemporaneous speech that evening to a largely Black audience in the heart of Indianapolis. Speaking without notes from the back of a flatbed truck, Kennedy broke the news of King's death and appealed for unity and compassion: “What we need in the United States is not division... not hatred... not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another.” This moment, now preserved in the Ball State Archives and the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, serves as the anchor for this initiative. It invites educators and students alike to grapple with themes of civic leadership and democratic responsibility, as RFK and Dr. King exemplified through their lives and legacies.
A Legacy of Courage and Compassion
In his Ball State speech, Robert F. Kennedy urged his audience to understand the struggles of their fellow citizens, declaring:
"But what is also necessary is that we understand one another, that you understand their problems... and that we make an honest effort to understand one another and move forward together."
This message, combined with Kennedy’s plea for unity just hours later in Indianapolis, serves as the foundation of the "With Compassion" project. The initiative uses primary sources from the Library of Congress, including Kennedy’s speech at Ball State, his Indianapolis eulogy, and Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," to help educators teach students about civic courage, empathy, and leadership.
Three-Phase National Model for Civic Learning
The "With Compassion" project is structured in three phases:
- Phase 1: Preparation (June 2025) – Educators will gain access to a digital repository of primary sources from the Library of Congress, Indiana Historical Society, and Ball State Libraries. They will also complete virtual orientation modules on primary source analysis and civic education.
- Phase 2: Summer Institute (July 28-30, 2025) – A three-day immersive workshop at Ball State University. Teachers will engage in training, explore Kennedy’s and King’s legacies, and develop lesson plans centered on civic learning.
- Phase 3: Implementation (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) – Educators will pilot their lesson plans, participate in webinars, and share stories of student impact through CECL and the America250 network.
Teaching Civic Values Through History
Dr. Roof emphasized: “This project brings together some of the most powerful lessons in American history. Our goal is to equip educators to help students engage deeply with the legacies of King and Kennedy—and apply those lessons to today’s challenges.”
The project aligns with the America250 celebration of the nation's Semiquincentennial, which calls for a renewed commitment to civic reflection, dialogue, and service. Through "With Compassion," educators will explore how Kennedy and King's words might inspire a new generation to understand, respect, and serve one another.
Partners and Support
CECL extends its gratitude to the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources and specifically the TPS Midwest Region program housed at the Milner Library at Illinois State University for funding this initiative.