November 22 marks the 60th anniversary of JFK's assassination. Commemoration and reflection dominate the two-day event in Dallas, spurred on by a banner campaign from the Sixth Floor Museum. As detailed in a Fox 4 News report, the campaign's banners, aptly named "JFK Was Here," chart the progression of the presidential motorcade in 1963, each embellished with historical photographs from its respective location.
With the banner campaign, the museum directs attention to the historical value of the event for Dallas. Utilizing city streets to connect past to present, the campaign, according to the Sixth Floor Museum website, highlights their historical significance. However, some debate over whether the focus ought to be the assassination's sorrow or the positive transition since this event.
KERA News featured an interview with filmmaker Quin Mathews, who created the documentary "City of Hate: Dallas and the Assassination." Mathews explores if Dallas deserves the negative title "City of Hate," 60 years post JFK's assassination. Mathews delves into Dallas's political trends pre and post the assassination, addressing the city's multifaceted connection with its ill-famed past. According to Mathews, Dallas has yet to confront the reasons it earned the "City of Hate" label.
Interestingly, the Sixth Floor Museum's initiative has sparked a dialogue concerning this issue. While acknowledging that Dallas's association with JFK's assassination is permanent, Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, praised the museum's unique historical approach in a Fox 4 News interview. He touted their campaign as "brilliant."
It's important to note that Dallas, despite its tragic historical event, has demonstrated significant growth in cultural diversity and inclusiveness. Mathews voices his pride in Dallas's evolution, remarking via KERA News, "I'm very proud of Dallas. I'm proud of our diversity, our open-mindedness. I think there's a good heart in Dallas."
