There is an old Irish song called Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye. That in my mind encompasses my thoughts on JFK and his administration .
President Kennedy gave his life for his country 50 years ago today and I or any American will never forget him . During the time of his presidency many Americans did not understand his vision of America. He moved fast on some things like our race to the moon against the Soviet Union but not fast enough on issues like Civil Rights of Women's Rights.
We were inspired by his inaugural speech that asked us not to just take from America but to give as well to take the torch that has been given to us and to light the world. He gave the challenge to youth at the time to go out into the world and make it better . He started the Peace Corps that said to the world that American troops would not be the only young people in their countries.
President Kennedy inspired us all and gave us hope but we did not know him. We did not know that he was very ill and suffered excruciating pain throughout his presidency. We did not know that his father suffered a stroke and was unable to communicate. As someone whose father suffered a stroke and cannot communicate, I understand the stress he must have been under. His children were under a constant spotlight. President Kennedy was from privilege and did not always understand what it was like not to have it but he was willing to listen. What was great about President Kennedy is that he did not know everything and he knew it . He reached out to America to help him understand. He made mistakes and was willing to admit it . He made mistakes and he made changes. He toured FBI headquarters and asked director J Edgar Hoover why he had only one Black agent in the entire FBI and called him to recruit more. President Kennedy knew that America was far from perfect but he was willing to do what was necessary to make it such. He was slow and sometimes resistant on Civil Rights but went on to know that it was either Civil Rights or Civil War.
President Kennedy was all that was good about the new America and he was willing bring us into it kicking and screaming. I was only 6 when President Kennedy was killed but he has shaped my thoughts , my political philosophy and all that I dream of .
Johnny we hardly knew ye but we're glad we did.
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