The Haunting Image: StoryCore Podcast Summary

This StoryCore podcast episode delves into the story behind the iconic photograph of Senator Robert F. Kennedy lying wounded on the floor of the Ambassador Hotel kitchen after being shot in 1968. It features interviews with Boris Yarrow, the LA Times photographer who captured the image, and Juan Romero, the teenage bus boy who is seen cradling Kennedy's head in the photograph. The episode explores the personal experiences and lasting impact of that tragic night on both men.

A Photographer's Burden: The Weight of Witnessing History

Boris Yarrow, a seasoned photographer, found himself at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5th, 1968, driven by a personal desire to capture a photograph of Bobby Kennedy for his wall. Despite not being on assignment, Yarrow's instincts kicked in when he heard the "popped, popped, popped" of gunfire. He described the scene: "The crowd separated, like Moses Partying, the Red Sea, and Kennedy was putting his hands up like a boxer, trying to avoid getting hit." He captured the immediate aftermath, including the haunting image of Kennedy "sprawled out on the floor, nobody around him except the bus boy."

Despite the photograph's historical significance, Yarrow expressed a deep aversion to it. "I hate the damn picture," he declared. He explained his aversion, stating, "I had no copy in the house. I didn't like it then, and then not crazy about it now." Yarrow's experiences covering the Watts riots and the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. had left him deeply affected. He saw Kennedy as a "night-chining alarm room" whose potential was tragically cut short. The photograph served as a constant reminder of the "anger in the world" and the loss of hope he felt that night.

A Bus Boy's Anguish: Bearing the Weight of History

Juan Romero, a 17-year-old bus boy at the Ambassador Hotel, had a brief but memorable encounter with Senator Kennedy the day before the assassination. He recalled, "They opened the door and the senator was talking on the phone. He put on the phone and says, come on in, boys, you can tell when he was looking at you. That he's not looking through you. He's taking you into account." This encounter left a profound impression on Romero, making him feel "10 feet tall."

The following day, Romero found himself thrust into the heart of a national tragedy. He recounted shaking Kennedy's hand just moments before the shooting. After Kennedy was shot, Romero "kneeled onto him and put my hand between the cold concrete and his head just to make him comfortable." He heard Kennedy ask, "is everybody okay?" Romero's instinctive act of compassion, captured in Yarrow's photograph, made him an unwitting symbol of the tragedy.

Romero's experience was not without its burdens. He received "bags of letters addressed to the bus boy," including some that were angry and accusatory. One letter stated that "if he hadn't stopped to shake your hand, the senator would have been in my life. So I should be ashamed of myself for being so selfish." These accusations added to the emotional weight Romero carried for decades.

Seeking Forgiveness and Finding Peace: A Journey of Healing

Despite the pain and guilt he carried, Romero eventually sought a way to find peace. In 2010, he visited Kennedy's grave, feeling the need to "ask Kennedy to forgive me for not being able to stop those bullets from harming him." He wore a suit for the occasion, stating, "I never want to lose in my life. So when I wore the suit and I stood in front of his grave, I felt a little bit like the first day that I met him. I felt important. I felt American. And I felt good." This act of reconciliation marked a significant step in Romero's journey of healing.

Enduring Legacy: Hope Amidst Tragedy

The podcast concludes by highlighting a quote from Senator Kennedy's 1966 speech to the National Union of South African students, an anti-apartheid group, emphasizing the importance of individual action in the face of injustice. Kennedy stated, "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 which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

The story of Boris Yarrow and Juan Romero, and the iconic photograph that connects them, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of hope and compassion in the face of tragedy. It underscores the profound impact that historical events can have on individuals and the importance of remembering and learning from the past. Even in the immediate aftermath of violence, as demonstrated by Juan Romero's actions, humanity can shine through. The photograph, despite its painful subject matter, ultimately serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit. The episode also underscores the idea that history is not just about grand narratives, but also about the individual experiences and perspectives of those who lived through it. The podcast effectively humanizes a historical event, making it relatable and emotionally resonant for listeners.