On June 11,1963 George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama tried to block two African American students from entering the University of Alabama.
President John F. Kennedy called in the National Guard and the governor stepped aside. The president informed the country of the event in a speech on radio and television during which he explained why it was so important for all Americans to be treated fairly and have equal rights and privileges.
He announced that he would be introducing a law that would end segregation in public places, require schools to become desegregated, and protect people’s right to vote.
When the President addressed the country it was seriously divided. Many Americans still supported segregation and were reluctant to acknowledge racial injustice. However, months of escalating conflict that included massive demonstrations, police repression, and even deaths of activists and other citizens, compelled Kennedy to take a clear stand on the issue. In this landmark speech on civil rights, Kennedy presented the case for why racial discrimination had no place in American law. He also announced his plans to introduce a civil rights bill to Congress.
The speech is historically significant for several reasons. It was Kennedy’s strongest public statement to the country (and the rest of the world) on civil rights. Also, historians consider it a ground-breaking speech because Kennedy framed racial injustice as a moral or ethical issue.
He challenged Americans to ask themselves, how do we want to be treated? What is the right way to behave towards others in a country founded on equality? Finally, the speech was a call to action; Kennedy challenged individuals to act, to treat each other with respect in their daily lives.
credit given to: http://civilrights.jfklibrary.org/
Here is part of Kennedy's speech (5.43).
Tell us one thing Kennedy said in this video, in your own words, and do not repeat what someone else has said.
Kennedy said that this country was founded over the rule that all men were to be treated equal, he said he wanted to keep it/bring it back to this way.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that Kennedy said was that he wanted to protect everybody's rights no matter what the color.
ReplyDeleteKennedy has said blacks have the right to vote without fear.
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ReplyDeleteKennedy said that the Governor of Alabama would not let two smart blacks into the University under the good conduct of the white students.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Tvedt in the speech at 1:53 shouldn't it be , instead of ands to be grammer wise.
Delete*Grammar >:)
DeleteKennedy said that America would not be fully free until all its citizens were free as we'll.
ReplyDeletehe said that " i hope every american will stop and examine his feelings about the black people.
ReplyDeletehe said that " i hope every american will stop and examine his feelings about the black people.
ReplyDelete"...To promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be freed."
ReplyDeleteHe said that a black person had half the chance of finishing high school, and double the chance of becoming jobless than a white person
ReplyDelete"...Law alone cannot make men see right"
ReplyDeleteHe talked about how if one man lost his rights then that would be as important as every man losing his rights. It sounds like a team.. If that one guy does not score the goal then all of us will lose.
ReplyDeleteHe talked about how it'd be better to settle the matters in the courts and not on the streets, and that the problem was a sold as the scriptures and as clear as the American Constitution
ReplyDeletehe said that he hopes we will look at our conscious' about this and other related incidents
ReplyDeleteHe said that, black or white, a student should be able to choose any school "public institution" of his or her choosing.
ReplyDelete