Video: 'Eartha Kitt Said Black Lives Matter in 1968'

(Thursday, January 18, 1968, at approximately 2:00 p.m. EST) — Singer Eartha Kitt, having debuted as the third actress to play the role of Catwoman in the Batman TV series a month ago, stunned other guests at a White House luncheon today when she angrily told Lady Bird Johnson that American youth was rebelling because of the Vietnam War.

“You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed,” Kitt said to the First Lady. “No wonder the kids rebel and take pot.”

The remark reportedly caused Mrs. Johnson to burst into tears.

President Johnson himself dropped in after dessert (at 2:32 p.m. EST) to speak briefly to the ladies. As he was leaving, Miss Kitt stood up and asked him about “delinquent” parents, “those who heave to work and are too busy to look after their children.”

The President, obviously taken aback, paused and then said day-care centers had been established under Social Security legislation.

“But what are we going to do?” Kitt persisted.

“I think it would be a good idea if you ask the women and then tell me what you think,” Johnson responded before his hasty departure.

Video: '2017 03 28 Eartha Kitt'