Dennis Hart's story of his reflections on historical events and his feelings on them showed a point of view of someone that grew up in tough circumstances. He discussed the importance of freedom and its role in people's lives as part of America's values. "Freedom is the most important thing in your life. We're facing an enemy today that's gonna annihilate us unless we retaliate in one way or another. We have to face up to it, Bomb or no Bomb. Otherwise, we're a bunch of cowards" (Terkel 238). Dennis Hart states that he felt the importance of making the decision with the bomb wasn't about the potential outcome of it, but what it represented. The bomb represented America's freedom and no matter what in Dennis Hart's opinion, freedom should be defended in anyway that was necessary. When Dennis Hart discussed a protest at a polling place, he discussed his feelings of courage. "It was the greatest experience of my life, in courage. Not only was I going to try to prove to myself that I was going to be a man, but I was doing it for a great person and a great cause" (Terkel 244). I think this idea of being courageous for a great cause is interesting because often people do not really understand the cause that they choose to stand up for. I think that Dennis Hart's feeling of great courage show that he was passionate about something, which lead him to not back down against great opposition. This courage is an important quality to have but I think it is only fully present in someone when they are fully committed to a cause like Dennis Hart was.
Tom Kearney discussed how he struggled with a difference in opinion from what he was taught through religion. He did not have a problem with African Americans and felt he was being taught something he didn't believe with. "I find myself at odds with the Church at various times. I knew the nuns taught me some things that weren't true...The same as going to school with the colored. You're going to have to get along with them. They're here, so you might as well go to school with them and get along with them" (Terkel 265). Tom Kearney was willing to adapt to changing norms in society. As blacks were gaining more freedom, he felt that there shouldn't be a problem getting along with them. He believed that African Americans were no different than people like himself. They wanted the same things in life and Kearney had an optimistic look at the future of integration. "The same as mine, the same as mine. Everything best for him and his family that he can possibly have. I can see where they'd want to move away from a completely colored neighborhood and integrate...I think people are intelligent enough to accept integration" (266-7). Kearney states that both races were similar and shouldn't have a problem integrating. He believed that integration should not be an issue or concern to anybody. He viewed people as people and not separated for their races.
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