John F. Kennedy's Contribute to Civil Rights

In the 1960s, blacks and whites were not treated equally. The blacks and whites were segregated from each other. Blacks had to sit at the end of the bus, while the whites sat in the front. Blacks and whites lived in seperate neighborhoods and went to seperate schools as well. Black people also didn't get the chance to vote. Blacks were not capable of having the same opportunites as whites, and John F. Kennedy wanted to change this. Kennedy promised to end racial discrimination during his Presidential Inaugural adress in 1961.During his time in office, he appointed black people to many federal positions. He appointed about 40 blacks to administrative posts and selected five black federal judges. Blacks were being given more opportunites and they were being put into higher positions. Blacks  were finally moving their way up in society by taking part in important jobs. In 1960, the Freedom Rides movement was taking place when civil right activists were fighting for equality in bus seating. John F. Kennedy fully supported this. By 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commision helped civil rights by saying that bus seating would be equal as everyone can sit anywhere they want regardless of who they are. In 1960, many blacks were living in poor neighborhoods and 57% of non-whites were living below standards. Blacks weren't given the opportunity to live in nicer homes due to segregation. John F. Kennedy wanted to change this by banning racial discrimation in housing in 1962 by placing an executive order. In the 1960s, there was also a problem with black people not being able to vote. Blacks were being proved powerless as they didn't have an opportunity to have a say in their society by not being able to vote. John F. Kennedy wanted to give the opportunity for blacks to get registered to vote. In that case, Kennedy supported students to register black voters in the South. He hoped that black people could finally have a say in their society by possibly changing laws and changing the thoughts of the government. Another problem that was ocurring was school segregation. Blacks and whites weren't allowed to go to the same school. Kennedy helped support people who were in favor of desegregation, which is the action of trying to put blacks and whites together in the same school. Kennedy encouraged black studentes, like James Meredith, who tried to go to all white schools and tried to protect them as well from cruel people who were against desegregation. He also tried enrolling black people into schools. Kennedy finally saw this as an important issue in society that needs to be pointed out. He thought the unequal treatment between blacks and whites was wrong and discrimination needed to be put to an end. Later, Kennedy proposed new civil right laws to the congress. These laws enabled blacks to vote, go to school, get jobs, and be treated fairly in scoiety without discrimination. These laws enabled everyone to be treated equally and have the same opportunites. The Civil Rights Act finally passed two years after his assasination in November 1963. Even though John F. Kennedy's life was cut short, he still managed to make a great contribution to civil rights during his presidency. He is still remembered today for his noble contributions towards American society.



source: http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/jfk.htm