In the early 1950’s
I didn’t learn who McCarthy was until much later. And I know now why news is so important.
In St Louis Missouri
Inside a tiny prefab on cinder blocks
In the dark living room corner with the fold up couch
Perched on the green cotton slipcover
Leaning in towards the radio
Every evening, religiously,
My parents are listening to every word.
I have to hold back my childish demands
While I dance about with an intolerable urgency to interrupt.
Something is important, though I don’t know why.
I do know it is forbidden to intrude
On this sacred space.
Hush—it is the news
With Edward R Murrow.
Khati Hendry
Characterizations:
been there, moving, right on!, well written
Wonderful scene-setting, Khati. Your “dance” of impatience, the green slip-covers in the cinder block room; parents leaning in to listen to, what? Edward R. Murrow. Yes, he was the MOST important figure on the radio in his day. This is a wonderful vignette.
I can relate to your beautiful description of your parents listening to Edward R. Murrow, Khati. In those days, we kids knew better than to intrude on these moments.
Wow, awesome RetroFlash, Khati. I felt like I was right there wanting to interrupt your parents!
Khati, in just 100 words you’ve painted a hushed scene most all of us boomers can relate to. Perfect!
Khati, this is a perfect RetroFlash! You describe the scene so well, and your childish impatience, and then the big reveal at the end. I also love the little teaser you wrote for the home page: “I didn’t learn who McCarthy was until much later. And I know now why news is so important.”
I remember the impatience so well. I had something I HAD to say RIGHT NOW but had to hold it. When the newcast was over, my mother asked, “Well, what was so important?”. And it killed me that I couldn’t remember! How unfair.
Terrific use of RetroFlash, Khati. And I did love the reveal at the end. (Though I must admit that I remembered Murrow’s sign off in your title.) And hurrah for your parents for listening to this great man so carefully — and despite their impatient daughter.
Great Retroflash Khati!
I remember my folks watching Edward R Murrow on TV and I remember him chain-smoking on the air. My parents smoked too then and I guess it was so prevalent we thought nothing of it.
I also remember my father listening to the news with Lowell Thomas on the radio every night at 6:00. How these memories come flooding back!
You are so right–both my parents smoked too, and it was indeed very prevalent. Remember smoking on airplanes? In restaurants? My dad gave it up but my mom continued until she was too sick to carry on, and despite my efforts to get her to stop. They both lived long lives, but also had lung cancer and COPD from smoking.
So glad smoking has diminished since then.
Beautiful capture, Khati! And there was so much for them to follow. I’m guessing they were politically ‘woke.’ And the urgency you felt to cut through your parents’ focused attention speaks universes about those anxious days. Your memory had to be very early on for Murrow to be radio-borne.
Yes, I think the memory was 1952-53. We didn’t have television until 1955 or 56 I think. My mother’s father was deeply engaged in the New Deal, and both parents had traveled; she in particular was very politically aware.
Very cool. How rarely has “the news” been presented as that powerful, somewhat shrouded in mystery, almost eroticized object of desire. Among this crowd, I’m sure we are all prepared to shout, “take if off!”
Thanks Dale, it made me laugh!
So minimalist yet so telling. Perfect use of RetroFlash! I don’t recall picking up any political vibes from my parents until I was a teenager. Lucky you.
Of course I didn’t understand the politics until much later, but I certainly got the vibe.
Yeah, the vibe was definitely there. My parents had both been active in the CPUSA before they met and my father was blacklisted. The explanations were fragmented and shadowy and difficult to understand for a child. I did, however recall having very different ‘opinions’ (reflections of my parents’ politics and later, my own) from the other kids. Written about all that, including the execution of the Rosenbergs. What a nightmare THAT was for a kid!
Wow. We were more on the edge though yes, there was a sense that our world view was different. Your experience was much more intense—did you write that in Retrospect? Would be interested in reading it. Thanks.
I drew that flash piece from the recollections I put into this longer piece:
https://www.charlesdegelman.org/blog/recollections-rocked-in-time
Please don’t feel obligated, but this piece does try to capture those ancient fears. I have another piece more specifically linked to the Rosenberg execution. I came to know the Rosenberg kids much later thru folk music connections and SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) ‘way back in early 1960s.
Thanks for the link—I read that longer piece, rich in memory and disturbing echoes in current day vituperation. Children can feel the malevolence and know something is wrong, even without understanding the details. I can’t imagine what the Rosenbergs endured, but it sounds as if you made some good connections, and have had wonderful music in your life—no small solace.
Yes, a foreshadowing in retrospect, written in the present[!]. Imagining equivalent child and parent anxiety/angst/anger/helplessness from two intersected sources — Drumpf and covid, covid and Drumpf — what does that feel like in the microcosm of each family unit? And how does it compare to the banging on the door if not in scope, then in impact.
I know thru friends how older kids are navigating these elements, but the little ones… And then there are the kids separated at the border. How do you compare one violation with an earlier one?
Glad we continued the discussion. Hope reading ‘Rocked in Time’ was worth the while for you. — CD