President John F. Kennedy and Civil Rights
President John F. Kennedy and Civil Rights
By Fabio Rodrigues da Silva Reis
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States of America, was a President focused on foreign policy during the nuclear age. One of his most remarkable characteristics was his desire to promote peace worldwide and neutralize the existing wars of his day. Aware of how much was at stake and passionately trying to find peace, he acted carefully and prudently during his time in office. On January 20th, 1961, he took the office, after defeating Republican candidate Richard Nixon. To fully understand Kennedy’s legacy, it is important not to overlook the great work he did with helping African Americans achieve Civil Rights. During the Kennedy administration, the President faced a remarkable number of historically relevant domestic and world events, including the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Space Race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the African American Civil Rights Movement, as well as the early stages of the Vietnam War. Times were tense and a very fragile American society was being tested in new and frightening ways. While optimism pressed the country onward, the country was divided in profound ways, and many Americans were fearful of the future. Though not always sure of the way forward, President Kennedy expressed sensitivity to civil rights issues, being progressive ahead of his time. He stood by those who protested and marched in favor of equality for all. He proposed and promoted what became the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing discrimination in public places. The African American population breathed deeply and commemorated such attitude by the President, admiring him as much as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As President, Kennedy was a massive catalyst for civil rights legislation, challenging long-held discriminatory laws and advocating social change. His political vision outlined the framework for what became the Great
By Fabio Rodrigues da Silva Reis
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States of America, was a President focused on foreign policy during the nuclear age. One of his most remarkable characteristics was his desire to promote peace worldwide and neutralize the existing wars of his day. Aware of how much was at stake and passionately trying to find peace, he acted carefully and prudently during his time in office. On January 20th, 1961, he took the office, after defeating Republican candidate Richard Nixon. To fully understand Kennedy’s legacy, it is important not to overlook the great work he did with helping African Americans achieve Civil Rights. During the Kennedy administration, the President faced a remarkable number of historically relevant domestic and world events, including the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Space Race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the African American Civil Rights Movement, as well as the early stages of the Vietnam War. Times were tense and a very fragile American society was being tested in new and frightening ways. While optimism pressed the country onward, the country was divided in profound ways, and many Americans were fearful of the future. Though not always sure of the way forward, President Kennedy expressed sensitivity to civil rights issues, being progressive ahead of his time. He stood by those who protested and marched in favor of equality for all. He proposed and promoted what became the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing discrimination in public places. The African American population breathed deeply and commemorated such attitude by the President, admiring him as much as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As President, Kennedy was a massive catalyst for civil rights legislation, challenging long-held discriminatory laws and advocating social change. His political vision outlined the framework for what became the Great
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