JFK 50

This year, November 22, 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was shot during his motorcade down Elm Street in downtown Dallas. Even though I studied this intensively throughout my education, I took every AP history class offered in high school and minored in political science in college, moving to Dallas was the first time I understood the significance of this tragedy to the city itself. It changed this country and the way the rest of the world viewed Dallas. I also became aware of the anger by local and visiting conspiracy theorists. This anniversary was important to them in an entirely different way.

 Throughout the week leading up to the 50th I struggled to cover the anniversary with such a dichotomy of tone. Some tourists came to pay their respects while others jumped out in the road where the shots were fired for a smiling photo op. 

In the morning at Parkland hospital where JFK died I saw people weep over the death of a man their families respected through several generations. A few hours later I was in a sea of protestors who intended to break down barricades to disrupt the ceremony. 

The  event was emotionally charged and meant something to many people in very different ways. 

Traffic is directed at Dealey Plaza on November 21, 2013 in Dallas. November 22, 2013 will be the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Kevin Rigot of Denver drops his hat as he watches the closing prayer of the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination at a display screen on Main Street near the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. "JFK is my hero so I couldn't miss the chance to be here," Rigot said. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

A crowd gathers on Main Street near the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Richard P. Sheridan is photographed at Dealey Plaza on November 19, 2013 in Dallas. This Friday, November 22, 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Josh Owens, left, Rob Jacobson, center, and Wes Perkins, right, photograph, record and take video of Alex Jones of infowars.com at Dealey Plaza on November 21, 2013 in Dallas. November 22, 2013 will be the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Protestors march from Belo Garden Park towards the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination ceremony on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Laura Turner, RN, left, Rocio Robles, Emergency Department services unit tech, center, and Cathy Huerta, right, bow their heads in prayer at Parkland Memorial Hospital on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary President John F. Kennedy's death, the Dallas county hospital district police lowered the flag in front of the current hospital to half-staff. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Mirthi Lopez of Dallas holds a sign that says LBJ Did It on the steps of Old Red Courthouse on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Gabbie Glenn, left, and Kenneth Zediker of Florida march from Belo Garden Park towards the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination ceremony on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Janette Owens, center, and David Owens, right, listen as Michael Scott Aston leads a President John F. Kennedy trolley tour on November 14, 2013 in Dallas. The tour takes groups past the grassy knoll, the scene where of officer J.D. Tippit's was shot, and the house where Lee Harvey Oswald lived. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Lamantha Richardson sheds a tear during a prayer as people gather at Parkland Memorial Hospital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's death on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. Richardson said if you went to her grandmother's house you would see three portraits, one of Jesus, one of Martin Luther King, Jr. and one of President John F. Kennedy. "Even though all three are passed away they are just stuck in my mind," Richardson said. The Dallas county hospital district police lowered the flag in front of the current hospital to half-staff. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Fresh flowers are laid on the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. Friday, November 22, 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in downtown Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)