John F. Kennedy
(Presidency from 1961-1963)
„Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
The most famous phrase contributed by John Fitzgerald Kennedy has remained in many memories all over the world. But only few rememeber what he did to support the Civil Rights Movement.
Taking office in January 1961, his contact to the Civil Rights Movement started just before his election: In the presidential campaign of 1960, he made an effort to bring about the discharge of Martin Luther King Jr (who was in jail at the time). This support, which was publically praised by King‘s father, brought Kennedy advantages: When it came to vote the president, he received more than 70% of Afro-American votes, which would win him the presidency.
On one hand, Kennedy was supportive to the movement and would later work hard to improve the legal situation for Afro-Americans, but on the other hand, he also feared to lose White votes if he pushed too hard with further legislating rights for Blacks.
He preferred to promote already passed laws and therefore publicly approved of the school desegregation, out his Vice-president Lyndon B. Johnson in charge of the CEEO (Committe on Equal Employment Opprtunity) and his brother Robert Kenndey, being Attorney General, made an effort to improve the fairness in court.
Another reason, why Kennedy didn‘t expand the legal rights of Afro-Americans during his short time as president is, that beginning in 1961 the international issues became a priority for him. If he did turn to the U.S. Itself, he focused on issues like health care and low wages.
But J.F.K. did do an effort to help the Civil Rights movement. He put pressure on federal government, local officals many other facilities to employ more Blacks, as there was legal equality in some parts, but when talking about reality, only few Afro-Americans were employed in higher, better paid positions.
Kennedy really tried to go into detail when it came to improvement of employment: When the Washington Redskins (last big football team to refuse to employ black players), he denied them access to the local stadium, which was funded by the federal government. This made them change their minds very rapidly.
J.F.K. can be critized for not trying to improve the lawful circumstances of Afro-Americans at the time, but he must also be given some credit for persistently trying (with success) to enhance the economical and financial status.
Here is an extract of Kennedy's Civil Rights Adress, which he presented after two Afro-American students were hindered from entering Alabama University by Govenor George Wallace:
„Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
The most famous phrase contributed by John Fitzgerald Kennedy has remained in many memories all over the world. But only few rememeber what he did to support the Civil Rights Movement.
Taking office in January 1961, his contact to the Civil Rights Movement started just before his election: In the presidential campaign of 1960, he made an effort to bring about the discharge of Martin Luther King Jr (who was in jail at the time). This support, which was publically praised by King‘s father, brought Kennedy advantages: When it came to vote the president, he received more than 70% of Afro-American votes, which would win him the presidency.
On one hand, Kennedy was supportive to the movement and would later work hard to improve the legal situation for Afro-Americans, but on the other hand, he also feared to lose White votes if he pushed too hard with further legislating rights for Blacks.
He preferred to promote already passed laws and therefore publicly approved of the school desegregation, out his Vice-president Lyndon B. Johnson in charge of the CEEO (Committe on Equal Employment Opprtunity) and his brother Robert Kenndey, being Attorney General, made an effort to improve the fairness in court.
Another reason, why Kennedy didn‘t expand the legal rights of Afro-Americans during his short time as president is, that beginning in 1961 the international issues became a priority for him. If he did turn to the U.S. Itself, he focused on issues like health care and low wages.
But J.F.K. did do an effort to help the Civil Rights movement. He put pressure on federal government, local officals many other facilities to employ more Blacks, as there was legal equality in some parts, but when talking about reality, only few Afro-Americans were employed in higher, better paid positions.
Kennedy really tried to go into detail when it came to improvement of employment: When the Washington Redskins (last big football team to refuse to employ black players), he denied them access to the local stadium, which was funded by the federal government. This made them change their minds very rapidly.
J.F.K. can be critized for not trying to improve the lawful circumstances of Afro-Americans at the time, but he must also be given some credit for persistently trying (with success) to enhance the economical and financial status.
Here is an extract of Kennedy's Civil Rights Adress, which he presented after two Afro-American students were hindered from entering Alabama University by Govenor George Wallace:
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy#1960_presidential_election
http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Civil-Rights-Movement.aspx
http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Civil-Rights-Movement.aspx