ipl-logo

Jfk Civil Rights Essay

2211 Words9 Pages

The struggle for civil rights has been a defining feature of American history. The United States was founded on the principles of liberty and equality, yet for over two centuries, those principles were not extended to all citizens. The 1960s was a time of profound social and political change in America. At the forefront of this movement was the Civil Rights Movement, which sought to secure equal rights for Black Americans and other marginalized groups. On June 11th, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a historic address on civil rights that was broadcasted on Radio and Television’s big three (ABC, CBS, NBC). The speech was delivered from the Resolute desk in the Oval Office and lasted for a total of 13 minutes. Through the speech, Kennedy …show more content…

Kennedy announced that he would send a civil rights bill to Congress that would address the issue of segregation in public accommodations, provide greater protections for voting rights, and establish a program to aid in the desegregation of public schools. He recognized that these measures were necessary to ensure that all Americans had access to the rights and opportunities guaranteed by the Constitution. JFK's address was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It signaled a shift in federal policy towards greater intervention in the struggle for civil rights. It also highlighted the importance of political leadership in promoting social justice and advancing the cause of civil rights. Through this paper, I will explain the address, its lead-up, and reception, and finally how it tells students that federal leadership intervention was necessary to advance civil rights in …show more content…

In his inaugural address, Wallace famously declared, "segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever". These values held by Wallace came into action on June 11th, when Wallace hosted the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door at the Foster Auditorium, in which he gave a speech to prevent Hood and Malone from enrolling in summer classes. Wallace, standing at the door of the university, declared that he would not allow the “unwelcomed, unwanted, unwarranted, and force-induced intrusion” of black students into the institution. The scene at the University of Alabama was broadcast on national television, bringing the issue of segregation to the forefront of national attention. However, the National Guard was eventually called in by Kennedy, and Wallace yielded after a few hours. Kennedy and his staff watched the events unfold on television from the White House. These events, along with police violence against peaceful protesters and an increasing awareness of systemic racism, prompted Kennedy to take a more active role in the Civil Rights Movement. The events that led up to JFK's address on civil rights were not

Open Document